Almost 1.500 children were sent for treatment outside Montenegro last year, and three million euros were set aside for this purpose, announced the Health Insurance Fund (FZO).
The FZO told the MINA agency that they are noticing an increase in the number of the youngest patients sent for treatment abroad.
"Last year, 1.479 insured persons under the age of 18 were referred, which is about 17 percent more compared to 2021, when 1.265 of them were referred," said the Fund.
As they announced, of the total number of referrals during the last year, 1.013 have been treated so far, for which three million euros have been allocated.
The Fund, presenting comparative data, indicated that from January 1 to March 31 last year, 352 children were sent for treatment, control and diagnostics outside of Montenegro, while in the same period this year that number increased to 410 insured persons.
"It is noticeable that there was no reduction in the number of patients sent abroad, but, on the contrary, that number increased by more than 15 percent," the FZO pointed out.
The Fund said that the largest number of children were sent to Acibadem Hospital in Turkey, with which they have a cooperation agreement.
"The most common diseases for which they are referred are leukemia (bone marrow transplantation), Hodgkin's lymphoma, neuroblastoma, brain tumors," the FZO stated.
They pointed out that FZO covers all the costs of treatment of children that are indicated by expert councils.
"At the same time, the Fund continuously monitors the needs of users and provides timely support in the event of the appearance of new types of interventions, while fully financing all costs," said the health institution.
They noted that FZO does not participate in the costs of medical treatments that are experimental in nature and are not yet included in medical standards.
When asked whether the establishment of a special fund or budget line for the treatment of the youngest patients is being considered, in order not to send frequent appeals for help to the public, the FZO said that the establishment of one is not within their immediate competence, but that an initiative of the responsible state authorities is necessary for this. institutions and decision-makers, including the Government and the Ministry of Health.
FZO said that the health system of Montenegro is still facing numerous challenges.
"And raising the level of services and strengthening health institutions is a long-term process that requires continuous investments and reforms", said the Fund.
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