Young doctor dies in Banja Luka, loses battle against coronavirus

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - After more than a month of fighting the novel coronavirus, doctor Marko Pekija from the Clinic for Intensive Medicine for Non-Surgical Branches of the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska has died, announced this healthcare institution.

"The doctors, staff and all employees of our institution had the privilege of knowing the esteemed young doctor and having the opportunity to collaborate with him. He was a top professional, full of ethics and enthusiasm, with a brilliant career ahead of him. Dr. Pekija worked at the Clinic for Intensive Medicine for Non-Surgical Branches of the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska, caring for the most critical patients and saving numerous lives. Unfortunately, he did not win the battle against the invisible enemy," the statement from the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska said, as reported by ATV.

Dr. Marko Pekija was born on September 8, 1983, in Banja Luka. He graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in the city on the Vrbas River in 2013, where he earned the title of Doctor of Medicine. After completing his studies, he began his professional career at the Prijedor Health Center on August 8, 2013.

He started working at the Clinic for Intensive Medicine for Non-Surgical Branches of the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska on March 1, 2019, where he received a specialization in pulmonology at the Clinic for Intensive Medicine for Non-Surgical Branches.

He is survived by his wife and two children.