Millions of investments in the healthcare system have resulted in better and more accurate diagnostics and smaller waiting lists in all institutions, said Health Minister Kenen Hrapović, stating that he expects three new clinics within the Clinical Center to be operational in 2022.
He said that care for the patient, availability and quality of health care are the primary goals of the Government and that they profile all policies in the field of health care accordingly.
"Challenges are a constant, but I believe that with the results in the previous period, we have shown that we can respond to this task, but also that we are ready to, when we see that something is not working, change and improve according to the patient's, the doctor's, and what the real needs are." said Hrapović in an interview with the MINA agency.
He said that the millions of investments in space, staff and equipment in the previous period are already giving the effects of better and more accurate diagnostics, significantly smaller waiting lists in all hospitals, as well as the Clinical Center of Montenegro.
Hrapović reminded that from 2017 to 2018, medical equipment with a total value of 10,9 million euros was purchased from the state budget, while an additional five million was allocated in the budget for last year, which KCCG successfully implemented.
He said that by purchasing medical equipment in a two-year period, public health institutions in the country were technologically strengthened with equipment worth 3,3 million euros.
"Of which the procurement of four scanners for the general hospitals in Berane, Bijelo Polje and Nikšić and the special hospital in Risno with a total value of 1,3 million, equipment for ophthalmology worth half a million, equipment from the field of surgery worth 400 thousand euros is highlighted," Hrapović said. .
He particularly highlighted the purchase of a multi-energy linear accelerator worth 2,6 million euros, a 3T magnetic resonance device worth 1,4 million and an angiography machine worth 900 thousand euros.
When it comes to last year, Hrapović said that about 8,2 million euros were invested in the public health institutions of Montenegro, of which 5,9 million were allocated for the purchase of modern medical equipment, and 2,3 million euros for adaptation and reconstruction of buildings.
He reminded that at the end of December, another linear accelerator worth 2,2 million euros was put into operation, which, in addition to the existing two devices, complied with international standards when it comes to the treatment of oncology patients with radiation therapy, i.e. one device per 200 inhabitants.
"Unfortunately, there is an increasing trend in the incidence of malignant tumors both in the world and in our country. There is an increasing number of patients suffering from malignant diseases in Montenegro who also require air therapy, so with three linear accelerators we will significantly improve the quality of providing these services and to reduce waiting lists", emphasized Hrapović.
According to him, the new List of Medicines, which includes modern therapies, has significantly contributed to the improvement of the treatment of Montenegrin insured persons.
"By expanding the right to medical supplies and aids during the past year, we made the effects of treatment stronger and health care more accessible," the minister added.
The plan is to build a new hospital in Pljevlja
Speaking about the plans for this year, Hrapović said that the implementation of several important projects is expected, which will significantly improve the quality of healthcare provision for citizens.
He reminded that the construction of a new hospital in Pljevljiva, worth 20 million euros, is planned.
"We will start the construction of the new KCCG Emergency Center building, with a total investment value of 15,3 million euros, and the construction of a health center in the City quarter, worth ten million euros, is also planned," announced Hrapović.
He pointed out that it is significant that the budget for this year plans to increase the salaries of healthcare workers, where a possible compromise measure between the union's demands and the real possibilities of the state treasury is still being agreed upon.
"In this way, we have shown a serious intention to influence the better standard of healthcare workers through the increase in wages, along with other tools we apply," said Hrapović.
He added that Montenegro will organize several important international activities this year, the aim of which is to familiarize with the trends of modern medicine and developments in the field of health care.
"The goal of the event is to compare our system with others, and to regionally plan policies to improve the health care of citizens of the countries participating in the gatherings," said Hrapović.
Speaking about the construction of three new clinics, worth over 13 million euros, Hrapović said that the capital budget proposal for this year includes the construction of a new facility for the needs of clinics for infectious diseases and for dermatovenerology, in order to respond to the real needs of patients and globally growing pathologies.
As he stated, the main project for the construction of a new facility for the needs of clinics for infectious and skin diseases has been completed, and the revision of the main project is in the final stage.
"In this year, it is planned to announce a tender for the selection of construction contractors and the start of construction, and the total value of the investment is 8,2 million euros", said Hrapović and added that, according to the plan, the clinics will be in operation in 2022.
He said that the construction of a new facility for the Mental Health Clinic is also extremely important, which, as he stated, will permanently solve the problem of conditions and accommodation capacity for mentally ill patients.
"The main project has been completed and its revision is underway. This year, it is planned to call for a tender for a construction contractor, and start construction. The total value of the investment is 5,7 million euros, and it is expected that this clinic will also be put into operation in in 2022", Hrapović said.
"The Montenegrin health system relies more and more on its own strengths and capacities"
As he said, by continuously investing in modern medical equipment, modernization of spatial capacities and staff education, Montenegro applies the latest medical achievements and improves the quality and safety of health care for its citizens.
"Thanks to the support of the state, but above all to the dedication and commitment of medical workers, the Montenegrin health system today relies more and more on its own strengths and capacities and is less dependent on medical centers in other countries," Hrapović pointed out.
He believes that in the coming period, preventive services should be further strengthened and screening programs should be improved.
"I expect that the repeated tender for the procurement of three digital mammograms carried out by KCCG will be successfully completed, and that we will fulfill the promise we made to the citizens when it comes to expanding the Program for early detection of breast cancer to the northern and southern regions," said Hrapović.
He reminded that the estimated value of mammograms is 1,2 million euros and that they will be distributed in general hospitals in Nikšić and Berane, as well as KCCG.
"Putting these devices into operation will fulfill the necessary prerequisites for carrying out diagnostic and preventive mammography programs in the southern and northern municipalities of Montenegro", said Hrapović.
Commenting on the criticism of the outflow of personnel from Montenegro, Hrapović said that this year, 146 doctors are expected to return from specialist training and added that the health system will be richer for ten sub-specialists.
"Today, we can boast of the fact that 2.278 doctors are actively engaged in the entire healthcare system of Montenegro. When we compare this number with the number of inhabitants, we get a ratio of 3,3 doctors per thousand inhabitants, which brings us closer to the European average/standard of 3,4 doctors ", said Hrapovic.
As he pointed out, in the past two years, the Montenegrin health system has been significantly enriched through the work of 93 specialist doctors, who have returned from specialist training.
"Personnel planning is one of the most important tasks of the health department, and this information about the number of people, health professionals, who enter the system year after year and bring new strength and quality to Montenegrin health care speaks for its successful implementation," Hrapović said.
According to him, taking care of professional development and advancement, through specializations, sub-specializations, as well as continuous medical education, for which the state allocates significant funds, are one of the ways to enable doctors to advance professionally.
"The announced salary increase for healthcare workers combined with evident technological progress and the possibility of solving the housing issue under favorable conditions, creating an environment for rapid professional progress and continuous education is the perfect medium for Montenegrin doctors to stay in their home country, which will take care of them so that they take care of to the health of the nation," Hrapović said.
He pointed out that the high degree of trust in the health system shown by all public opinion surveys gives them the wind at their backs to continue, but also obliges them to review daily what can be better, more efficient, and of higher quality.
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