KS Health Insurance Fund Responds to Vranić: We Are Not Afraid of Attacks from Those Who Do Not Want to Improve the Situation

(Patria) - The Sarajevo Canton Health Insurance Fund reacted to Patria's article "Vranić Warned KS Health Insurance Fund Director Kosovac That He Exceeded His Authority, Arranging Projects Without the Knowledge of the Ministry and the KS Government" stating that a number of untruths were presented in the article.

Although the article concerns the content of a letter sent by the Minister of Health Haris Vranić to the Director of the KS Health Insurance Fund Muamer Kosovac, the Fund denies the allegations.

"We operate differently, transparently, in the interest of citizens and the public good, and we are not afraid of attacks from those who do not want to improve the situation.

First and foremost, it is untrue that the director Kosovac's response, sent on 16.08.2023, did not reach the relevant ministry. The exclusivity and (lack of) knowledge are concerning, as it is untrue that 'the Fund is solely an institution that finances the provision of healthcare in KS'. The Director of the KS Health Insurance Fund, Muamer Kosovac, has not stepped outside the scope of his authority. On the contrary, as a responsible manager, he is honestly and honorably performing his job in implementing the ministry's decision. He did not arrange 'certain projects' because they were arranged long ago but need to be implemented. It is untrue that the Ministry is not aware of this project. We provide proof:

In accordance with Article 6 of the Decision on Keeping Medical Documentation in Electronic Form within the Central Information System (Official Gazette of KS, No. 47/20), the Fund is the holder and owner of the healthcare informatization process in KS, and is responsible for establishing and maintaining the functioning of the integrated information system in healthcare in KS, as well as other activities determined by the said decision. On 20.01.2023, the Ministry of Health sent a notice to all Public Healthcare Institutions in KS, reminding them of the said decision, the obligation to implement the decision, which includes the complete transition to electronic referrals. With the same act, the Fund is tasked with monitoring the operational implementation of this decision.

Given that electronic appointment scheduling via 'eUputnica' has largely been implemented between the General Hospital 'Prim.dr. Abdulah Nakaš' and the JU Health Center KS, with the special participation of the Fund, a working meeting was held with contractual partners on the implementation of all obligations in order to ensure shorter waiting lists for health services, avoid multiple bookings, and ensure transparency and equality for all insured persons. The Fund informed the Ministry about the held meeting, the conclusion reached on the need to form a coordination body, and invited the Ministry to participate in the work of the body and delegate representatives. It is untrue that the protection of personal data will be jeopardized, as the Fund takes care of the security of personal data with guarantees from the system implementers, and personal data of the insured will not be published, but exclusively data on available/occupied appointments, the number of open orders, and the average waiting time for services, which are obtained from the Fund's information system, based on data entered by healthcare institutions.

There is no evidence that the letter you refer to represents the position of the KS Government and the respected Prime Minister.
If the Ministry still believes that the Fund is acting outside its jurisdiction, and considering all the above, we kindly ask the relevant minister to inform us in writing about the need to suspend further activities.

Until then, all employees of the KS Health Insurance Fund, with Director Muamer Kosovac at the helm, will continue to work diligently to improve the quality of services, organize work more efficiently, increase transparency, and ensure equal access to healthcare services for every insured person. Our results speak best for us. As is evident and likely bothers some individuals, the Fund's intention is transparency and the fight against corruption, and despite the warnings, we will work exclusively for the benefit of the insured," the reaction states.