Vranić: KS Government Has No Insight into KCUS Operations, Considering Criminal Charges

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Minister of Education of KS Naida Hota Muminović stated at today's press conference that all decisions regarding the educational process, i.e., the return of students to schools, are made in cooperation with the KS Ministry of Health.

“In this regard, the current orders and recommendations for school operations at the federal level are very limiting, and we had to operate within their framework when we brought students back to classrooms. We have already initiated steps to arrange a meeting with the minister from TK and the Federal Crisis Staff so that cantons can have greater authority. All our efforts, our wishes must be clearly aligned within the epidemiological framework. These decisions change on a weekly basis, and I believe we will be ready to manage this process. This way, we will adapt together,” said the minister.

Lejla Brčić, Minister of Justice and Administration, pointed out that the instruction for children aged 6 to 10 to wear masks caused reactions.

“On 01.28, the FBiH Government made a conclusion accepting the order as mandatory, and point 1 states that all citizens are obliged to wear masks in open and closed spaces, with the exception of children up to 6 years of age,” said Brčić, adding that they had to make such a decision, otherwise the schools would be exposed to sanctions.

This is precisely why the process was initiated to allow cantons the possibility to create measures according to the epidemiological situation.

KS Minister of Health Haris Vranić answered some media questions, including regarding drive-in testing, which is expected to start in the coming days.

“The location is at the parking lot near Vrbanja Bridge, the KS Health Center and its management have shown great understanding in lending a container for these needs. The KS Health Insurance Fund will provide all technical assistance in terms of IT and recording tested individuals, and the Health Center will provide teams to collect samples. It will be open from 8 AM to 3:30 PM. During the day, all those who are tested will be notified as soon as the test results are known,” said Vranić.

Regarding the appointment of two members to the KCUS Management Board on behalf of the KS Government, Vranić stated that the possibility of filing criminal charges against the Federal Ministry of Health is being considered, as it did not comply with the previous decision of the KS Government to change two members, but instead temporarily appointed the previous composition of the Management Board.

“We will comply with all legal regulations in terms of the legal procedure to elect two members who should be appointed for a four-year term. We are in an unprecedented situation where KS has no members and we have no information about what is happening within KCUS, especially regarding the spending of funds paid by the Fund,” said Vranić.

When asked about the vaccination plan, the minister said that it has been prepared, as well as the order of persons to be vaccinated.

“The order is determined, it is transferred from the WHO, and these are the people in the first echelon in contact with infected individuals, healthcare workers, MUP employees, public workers. The second level includes those over 65 years of age, users of nursing home services. Everything is ready for mass vaccination. One of the large halls will be prepared for mass vaccination because individual vaccination in clinics can cause confusion. We are ready for mass vaccination at any moment as soon as they arrive, whether through the Covax mechanism or commercially if we purchase them,” said Vranić.