The Ministry of Health has initiated the formation of an external commission made up of experts from the region and the European Union (EU), which will deal with the case of the death of mother Drita Tafa, said relevant minister Vojislav Šimun.
He, answering the question of the deputy of the Albanian Alternative, Iljir Capuni, about the death of Tafa and the improvement of the conditions in the hospital in Ulcinj, said that the Ministry of Health undertook health and sanitary supervision in the General Hospital (OB) Bar, as well as in the Clinical Center of Montenegro, where Tafa deceased.
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Šimun said that an autopsy was conducted and that the report is awaited.
"I initiated the formation of an external commission composed of experts from the region and EU countries, and I expect that we will have an unbiased insight into the entire process," Šimun said.
He said that they owe it to the family and the public.
Speaking about the maternity hospital in Ulcinj, Šimun said that they have formed a National Commission that will deal with the improvement of the situation in that maternity hospital.
"I expect the report of that commission soon. I believe that the maternity hospital in Ulcinj should be strengthened in this regard," said Šimun.
He, answering the questions of the deputy of the Democratic Party of Socialists, Nermin Abdić, about the consumption of medicines in Montenegro, said that the list of medicines is revised three times a year.
Šimun said that they made savings through pharmacoeconomic measures.
"The chamber for cytostatics will further reduce the cost of drugs by 15 to 20 percent. The introduction of the "track and trace" system for medicines will further enable savings," said Šimun.
Speaking about the increase in drug prices, he said that, as far as the price of antibiotics is concerned, it is more or less the same.
"What is being done in Montenegro is the introduction of innovative therapy. In particular, a total of over 20 innovative drugs were introduced, half of which was set aside for oncology," said Šimun.
He announced that amendments to the Medicines Act are being prepared.
"Which drugs off the list will be limited by prices. This is something that could have been done a thousand times before. "Instead of the 1,5 thousand drugs that are already on the list, we will limit the prices of another thousand," added Šimun.
He said that it was also planned to allow other drugstores to apply for Montefarma's tenders, and not only domestic ones, in order to reduce the possibility of a monopoly.
"Something is saved, but it is mainly transferred to innovative therapy, so that we can keep up with the countries we are striving for," said Šimun.
Answering Abdić's question about waiting lists, Šimun said that the situation is much better than before, when specialists had to wait several months for examinations, and one month for control examinations.
"The big problem is that we freed up the appointments, but the patients don't show up, or finish the examination outside the central scheduling system, or without instructions," said Šimun.
He said that they are making transparent lists in order to give patients the opportunity to get an appointment.
"We also introduced the fact that specialists schedule control examinations. Additional work has been increased from one month to three. All this contributes to a better organization, but the fact is that in some segments we have to increase capacities, not only human but also infrastructural, Šimun pointed out.
He said that by further optimizing the process and eliminating the segment where up to 50 percent of citizens do not show up for an examination, waiting lists will be further shortened.
Answering the question of MP Vladimir Dobričanin about whether the Ministry of Health plans to introduce health care contributions, i.e. payment of health insurance and in what way, Šimun said that Dobričanin voted for Europe Now 1, which showed that the current model is sustainable.
"We are no longer financed by contributions, and that is a relief for citizens, and on the other hand, we have a better tax policy," said Šimun.
As he stated, this is a model that is also applied in other European countries.
"The fact is that we had several meetings with the World Health Organization (WHO), with budget planning experts, where this model was praised. The model is more resistant to possible fluctuations in terms of the employment rate, if the unemployment rate were to increase, this system is more resistant than it," said Šimun.
He said that the Ministry's budget has grown in recent years.
"Through Europe now 2, we have additionally strengthened salaries. All parameters, with the praise of the WHO, do not indicate instability in this regard, but a sustainable system," said Šimun.
When asked by URA Civic Movement MP Ana Novaković about the construction of the Hematology Clinic, Šimun said that the project is being supplemented.
"That procedure ends in November, and in the first quarter of next year we are announcing a tender for the construction of a clinic and the purchase of a PET scanner. The project is worth 15 million, and the scanner itself is worth 2,5 million euros, with a contribution of about 750 thousand euros from the Ministry," said Šimun.
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