Even after almost two years since the Administration for Capital Projects announced the tender, the hospitals in Bjelopolje and Nikšić have still not received the magnetic resonance devices, with a total value of around 1,56 million euros.
The procurement procedure is currently stopped, after the bidder's appeal was filed and accepted several times. In the middle of August of this year, the tender was canceled at the proposal of the Commission for the implementation of the public procurement procedure because no correct bid was submitted and the bidders were excluded from the public procurement procedure.
"What we have as information regarding the procurement of magnetic resonance imaging for the needs of the Bijelo Polje General Hospital is that the procurement process is ongoing through the Capital Projects Administration, as well as that an appeal has been filed against the selection of the best bidder, and a decision on the appeal is awaited Commission for the Protection of Rights in Public Procurement Procedures", the director of that institution replied to "Vijesta". Kenan Erovic.
He reminded that the Bjelo Polje General Hospital has repeatedly emphasized the importance of the acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging, when it comes to the improvement of diagnostic procedures in that institution, and how much the acquisition of the device would improve health care and protection not only for the citizens of Bijelo Polje and Mojkovac, but also for the entire north. of the state.
"Our institution has the necessary staff and space required by modern standards for the placement of devices, and we hope that the procurement procedure will be implemented as soon as possible, which is in the interest of all citizens and the health system," Erović said.
He also replied that the service for radiological diagnostics employs six doctors, three of whom are in specialization. He explained that through the Ministry of Health, they awarded a narrow specialization in neuroradiology, and they plan to award two more specializations in the field of radiology.
"When it comes to waiting lists for diagnostic procedures, they are reduced to a minimum. Thus, for an ultrasound, doppler of blood vessels and radiography, the wait is up to seven days, while the wait for the scanner is up to a month. There are no waiting lists for emergency patients, oncology patients, children and pregnant women, but examinations are done on the same day," said Erović.
In the public health system, magnetic resonance devices are currently available at the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) and the Clinical Hospital Center (KBC) in Berane. Citizens of Bijelo Polje are sent to neighboring Berane for examinations, and Nikšić to Podgorica.
Citizens who wait longer than 45 days in public health institutions can be examined at the expense of the Health Insurance Fund in several private clinics in Podgorica, Nikšić and Kotor.
The new contracts for MR examinations with private clinics came into force on January 1, 2024 and will be valid for two years. Citizens who wait longer than 45 days in public health institutions can be examined at the Fund's expense in several private clinics in Podgorica, Nikšić and Kotor. The fund has signed contracts with private health institutions Konzilium, Hippokrat and Moj Lab.
Contracts with private clinics where MR examinations are performed in situations where there are no appointments in the public health system have been in force for the past seven years.
Patients were first referred to private institutions with the instructions of the selected doctor, with the prior approval of the council, in cases where the public health care had to wait longer than 30 days for that examination, in accordance with the Fund's Regulations.
During 2021, by the decision and instructions of the previous management, that deadline was extended by 15 days, which means that patients waiting for an MRI examination in public institutions are referred to a private doctor if the first appointment is available in the next 45 days.
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