The Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) announced that it will implement all available mechanisms to determine ethical and professional responsibility in relation to cardiologist Vladimir Peruničić, so that it can be considered in the prescribed procedures, with the aim of determining professional competence to perform work at that institution.
They said they strongly condemn "any form of violence, whether verbal, sexist, or any form of unethical behavior."
Peruničić was fined a maximum of 1.000 euros with the mandatory security measure of mandatory treatment for alcoholism in freedom and in outpatient conditions. This was decided by the Podgorica Misdemeanor Court, after Gradska TV journalist Magdalena Čelanović reported him for insults, threats and harassment.
"The recent actions of a doctor employed by our institution are particularly condemnable, because threats directed at media workers represent an attack on freedom of expression and the foundations of a democratic society. We share the condemnations expressed by non-governmental and trade union organizations, associations and individuals, and we especially respect the position of the Media Union, which points out that journalists, as well as healthcare workers, are often exposed to attacks because of the work they do, and that their work plays an important role in society and that it is their responsibility to be an example of dignified and responsible communication. We also share the condemnation of the Union of Medical Doctors of Montenegro, which considers the communication expressed by a doctor towards a journalist to be unacceptable, which rightly caused strong negative reactions from the public, and that such behavior is completely incompatible with the ethics, dignity and responsibility that the medical profession implies," the statement reads.
They said that, in light of the event itself, the Clinical Center, upon receiving the complaint from journalist Čelanović, "despite the fact that the controversial comments did not occur in the context of providing healthcare or within the scope of professional duties," intervened with the employee, "which, as we were informed, resulted in an apology and assurance that the inappropriate communication would be discontinued and would not be repeated, which, to our unpleasant surprise, nevertheless occurred."
"Thanks to the timely reaction of the Police Directorate, following Ms. Čelanović's report, the inappropriate and unethical communication between the doctor and the journalist moved from social networks to the premises of the competent judicial authorities. In the future, in accordance with legal authority, the Clinical Center of Montenegro will implement all available mechanisms for determining ethical and professional responsibility in relation to the employee so that it can be considered in the prescribed procedures, and with the aim of determining professional ability to perform work in our institution," they add.
They said they believe that the actions of the Police Directorate, the Prosecutor's Office, the judiciary and, in this specific case, the KCCG, will contribute to the prevention of such events in the future, that is, their rapid recognition and timely reactions.
"As the only tertiary healthcare institution in Montenegro that employs the largest number of medical staff in the country, we point out that in this specific situation, this is the sole responsibility of the individual, and that such an act must not cast a shadow over thousands of honorable healthcare workers who defend the dignity of their profession with their expertise and dedication every day," the Clinical Center announced.
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