The Government of Montenegro has allocated 280 million euros for healthcare in the coming year, which is the largest allocation for this segment in the history of our country, said Prime Minister Duško Marković at a meeting with a delegation of representative healthcare unions - the Independent Health Union of Montenegro and the Health Union of Montenegro , led by Ljiljana Krivokapić and Vladimir Pavićević.
"The health care budget in 2020 is EUR 100 million higher than it was three years ago when this Government assumed its mandate. During this period, there were significant allocations and investments both in infrastructure and in staff education and solving the housing issue. Now we are provided an increase in wages for everyone in the health care system," said Prime Minister Marković.
He specified, as announced by the Government, that 10 million euros were allocated for the purchase of new equipment, 3 million euros went for specializations, and 3,2 million for medical education.
It is added that 1,5 million euros were given for the housing fund, which amount will be determined in the period 2021-2023. year, and next year the health cooperative will receive 400.000 euros from the Government to solve the housing issue.
"Representatives of the trade union recognized the Government's efforts in that area, but expressed their dissatisfaction with the proposed salary increase of 9 percent next year and 3 percent in 2021. They believe that the status and position of health workers as well as non-medical staff must be improved," the announcement reads.
Marković, as announced, agreed that it is extremely important to improve the standard of health care employees because of the responsible work they do and the importance for citizens and the state, but that sustainable and not populist solutions must be found.
"The interlocutors agreed that the budget for healthcare is large enough to provide a better status for employees, but that models must be sought within the existing financial framework. It was agreed to continue the dialogue in that direction," the announcement states.
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