The outgoing Government and the National Coordinating Body (NCB) for infectious diseases have been ignoring Montefarma's request for almost a month to provide money for the purchase of additional quantities of seasonal flu vaccine and protective equipment against the coronavirus, given that the supplies are almost exhausted.
For this reason, "Montefarm" asked state health institutions (hospitals and hospitals) to procure additional doses of vaccines and protective equipment against the coronavirus themselves.
In the letter from "Montefarma" to the health care institutions, which "Vijesti" had access to, it is written that the institution contacted the Ministry of Health and NKT on November 4 and that they did not receive any response until December 1.
"We are obliged to inform you that the stocks of these goods are at minimum quantities, so we cannot guarantee further supply of these medical devices in the coming period... We ask all public health institutions, if you have the opportunity, to make an independent purchase of protective medical equipment", it says in the document.
According to the letter, "Montefarm" asked for money for 10.000 doses of flu vaccine, 5.000.000 pieces of nitrile non-sterile gloves, 400.000 pairs of surgical gloves, 200.000 pieces of disposable protective suits and disposable waterproof coats.
Yesterday, the Ministry of Health and NKT did not respond to "Vijesta" as to why the funds for the purchase of the vaccine and protective equipment were not provided, and why the money was not diverted from the NKT donation account, which contains more than eight million euros.
According to the data from the letter, 1,64 million is needed for the procurement of vaccine and medical equipment for a period of four months.
In the request of Montefarma, which was sent to the authorities at the beginning of November, it is stated that vaccination began on November 2 and that after two days they received requests from almost all health centers that the planned quantities were insufficient, that the response to vaccination was above their expectations and that the quantities are running out.
"With consultations with the Institute for Public Health, it is necessary to acquire another 10.000 doses, if the manufacturer has them. It is known that the supplier Farmalab, which supplied the vaccine against seasonal flu, has 2.000 doses available at a price of 8,39 euros per dose," says the request signed by the director of that institution, Radoman Dragaš.
"Montefarm" emphasized that on October 3, they informed the Ministry of Health and NKT that it was necessary to urgently acquire protective equipment - gloves and coats.
"Vijesti" announced in mid-November that the Podgorica Health Center had used up all 11.000 doses of the seasonal flu vaccine. This was confirmed by the director of that institution, Nebojša Kavarić, who clarified that everyone who applied received the vaccine. Citizens with chronic diseases complained that they were told at the health center that there was no vaccine and that they did not know when the new doses would arrive.
"Montefarm" then announced that after the arrival of the VaxigripTetra seasonal flu vaccine in the facility's warehouse, delivery to all public health institutions where population vaccination is carried out began on the same day, based on their assessments and needs.
"The necessary amount of vaccine against seasonal flu is planned exclusively by public health institutions in coordination with the Institute for Public Health. The estimated quantities for all public institutions are summarized and based on the plan that is submitted in writing to Montefarma and a tender is called in order to distribute the vaccine in a timely manner," Montefarma's response reads.
From that institution, they said that their obligation is to call for tenders, receive, properly store, preserve and transport the flu vaccine. They reminded that 31.000 doses of VaxigripTetra, manufactured by Sanofi Pasteur-France, were procured and delivered this year.
The health authorities recently announced that Montenegro has started the procurement process and has paid an advance for the future vaccine against the coronavirus.
Another 502 people were infected, six patients died
Laboratories of the Institute for Public Health (IJZ), other public and private laboratories registered 502 new cases of coronavirus, among 1.856 analyzed samples. The IJZ announced that there are 165 new positives from Podgorica, 85 from Nikšić, 54 from Bijelo Polje, 31 from Bara, 26 from Beran, 23 from Budva, 17 from Kotor and Pljevlja each, 16 from Herceg Novi, 15 from Rožaj, 10 from Tivat and Tuza, and eight from Ulcinj. newly infected, Cetinje, Mojkovac and Kolašin each seven, Plužina two, Danilovgrad and Andrijevica one each.
"Since yesterday's examination, six deaths related to covid-19 have been reported to the Institute in patients from Podgorica, Andrijevica, Budva, Bar, Bijelo Polje and Nikšić, the oldest of whom was 83 (1937) and the youngest 55 (1965). year). The total number of deaths related to covid-19 infection since the beginning of June is 501, and since the beginning of the year 510," the announcement reads.
The recovery of 772 patients was reported.
Bonus video:
