Online petition launched in support of KCUS surgeons

A group of citizens has launched an online petition in support of surgeons at the University Clinical Center Sarajevo, to highlight the pressure exerted by the management on doctors at the largest healthcare institution in the country.

"Given the recent events, related to the extremely unprofessional conduct of the KCUS management towards Prof. Dr. Gavrankapetanović and the surgeons who supported him, this petition expresses our full support for proven experts and honorable surgeons," the petition states.

"This is support for their professional approach to patients and their work, and their desire to protect and improve the health of children and other citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina," the petition description further states.

Doctors from the Sarajevo Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology have recently been warning the public about the pressure they are facing from the KCUS management, headed by Dr. Sebija Izetbegović, wife of the SDA president and Bosniak member of the Presidency of BiH, Bakir Izetbegović, after they opposed the dismissal of Dr. Ismet Gavrankapetanović from the head of the Clinic for Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Dr. Gavrankapetanović is the latest in a series of doctors to be dismissed from a leadership position since Dr. Izetbegović took over as head of KCUS at the beginning of 2016. It is believed that she came to this position due to the strong political support she enjoys. Dr. Gavrankapetanović is a leading European orthopedist, but this did not prevent Dr. Izetbegović and the Management from dismissing him without any explanation. Before Dr. Gavrankapetanović, at least 40 doctors had left this healthcare institution, seriously compromising the quality of healthcare services provided at this clinical center.

The new management also speaks of millions in savings and the eradication of bribery at KCUS, while doctors simultaneously warn of a lack of medicines and equipment, as well as immense pressure on doctors.

A group of BiH intellectuals recently demanded the immediate dismissal of the entire KCUS management and the return of professional leadership to KCUS, instead of politics as is currently the practice. A few days later, hundreds of other citizens of Sarajevo joined them with this petition, writes Patria.