The Committee for Health of the Parliament of Montenegro rejected the initiative of the deputy of the Social Democratic Party, Draginja Vuksanović Stanković, to hold a consultative hearing of the Minister of Health, Jelena Borovinić Bojović, on the procurement of vaccines against the coronavirus. Four MPs voted for the initiative, and the same number voted against it.
The initiative was supported by the President of the Committee Srđan Pavićević, Committee members from the Democrats Albin Ćeman and Tamara Vujović and Committee member Draginja Vuksanović Stanković (SDP), while also four members from the coalition For the Future of Montenegro (DF and SNP) were retained, which is why the proposal did not get the necessary majority. Members from DPS and SD did not attend the Board session.
The members of the government suggested that the hearing be held later, when the members of the opposition will also attend the Committee session. Vuksanović Stanković said that it was just an excuse to postpone the Board session.
Vuksanović Stanković said that her initiative was in the interest of citizens, not political parties.
"Here there is a need to protect the incompetence of Minister Borovinić Bojović by not coming, and that speaks louder than words," said Vuksanović Stanković.
"I don't know what is more important than this topic in Montenegro today," said Vuksanović Stanković and added that it is important for the minister to come and answer the questions.
MP Vladimir Dobričanin (UCG) said that he already knows the answers to most of the questions that Vuksanović Stanković asked. He said that the system is ready for vaccination and that there will probably be electronic scheduling.
He also stated that Berlin is waiting for information about the British strain in Montenegro, but as he added, it is expected that this strain is already in Montenegro.
The President of the Committee, Srđan Pavićević, said that the Committee must be told the truth about vaccination, because they are there for the citizens of Montenegro.
"I hope that the minister will have the opportunity to announce everything that is being speculated about in this place", said Pavićević and added that the imperative is the "general good", and not, as he added, "the politicization of health".
Pavićević also said that it is the obligation of the opposition to come to the meeting of the Committee, where vaccination will be discussed.
We don't know when the vaccination will be
At the beginning of the session, Vuksanović Stanković said that it is necessary to invite the Minister of Health Jelena Borovinić Bojović and the director of the IJZ Igor Galić to the control hearing, and according to the Board's assessment, maybe someone else.
As Vuksanović Stanković says, Montenegro is among several European countries that have not yet started vaccination, and, as he adds, we don't even know when they will.
"That is why it is necessary to urgently find out the reasons why vaccination has not started and when it will start", said the SDP deputy.
She also reminded that the minister previously promised to start vaccinations at the end of January or the beginning of February, but also refused vaccine donations.
"If you have around 500 infected citizens on a daily basis, we really believe that it is a matter of life and death, and the citizens expect answers," said Vuksanović Stanković.
MP Vladimir Dobričanin (UCG) believes that the previous government did nothing to start vaccination on time.
He also says that it is necessary to postpone the hearing of Minister Borovinić Bojović until all MPs are in the Assembly, that is, when the opposition is accompanied to the Parliament.
Vuksanović Stanković replied that she is not accusing anyone, she is just looking for answers.
"If this government is incompetent in this matter, don't justify your incompetence by the inaction of the previous government," said Vuksanović Stanković.
He also says that it is necessary to postpone the hearing of Minister Borovinić Bojović until all MPs are in the Assembly, that is, when the opposition is accompanied to the Parliament.
Dobričanin said that the vaccines were procured in June, July, August and September.
"This disease that has befallen us has an impact on all spheres of life and we have to think about the season as well," said Dobričanin.
Vuksanović Stanković replied that she is not accusing anyone, she is just looking for answers.
The President of the Board, Srđan Pavićević, invited them to a constructive discussion without, as he said, political divisions.
"As long as I am the president of the Board, this Board will prioritize the health of citizens, and you will leave political divisions behind these doors," Pavicević said.
He also stated that it is a problem of general national interest.
He was also of the opinion that it is necessary for both the government and the opposition to attend the Committee session during the discussion on vaccination.
"At the moment, the priority of topics is different. The priority right now is to see how to get out of this and how to provide something that is for the general good of the population as soon as possible", said Pavićević.
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