Dijana K. (33) from Mojkovac suffered serious injuries in a traffic accident that occurred on December 25, 2024. She had a severe spinal injury and a fractured thoracic vertebra that caused total paralysis of the lower part of her body. She arrived at the rehabilitation in a wheelchair. After two and a half months of strenuous exercises, in addition to the wheelchair, she now has crutches and a walker next to her bed.
"Yes, I got out of the wheelchair, I walked, I use crutches and a walker. This is not just my success, but the success of all these people around me. They worked day and night to make me even better. They are incredible, so without exception, if it weren't for all of them, I wouldn't have succeeded," says Dijana while lying in bed at the Department of the Institute for the Immobile and People with Disabilities, resting from the strenuous morning exercises...
Dijana is just one of several hundred patients currently being treated at the Dr Simo Milošević Institute in Igalo. The touching story she told to "Vijesti" applies to all employees of the institution, but primarily to the physiotherapists...
Rasim Softić (63) from Podgorica, who is being treated at the Institute for the consequences of a stroke, has a similar experience...
“Thank God we have institutions like this. Igalo is rising from the dead,” he says as we sit in the lobby by the reception. He says he's only been in Igalo for 10 days and that he's doing much better than before he came.
"I have no words, these people are phenomenal, true professionals, from maids, physiotherapists to doctors, kind in every way and that's true. Surrounded by such people, one can only expect good and better," says Softić...
The famous door is closed.
Slađa has been a physiotherapist at the Institute for a long time. She works in the kinesitherapy departments.
“I love my job and that’s where I get my positive energy. I love seeing patients feel better after the exercises. That’s what motivates us to keep going, to help people, that’s the meaning of our job,” says Slađa. She is one of around 200 physiotherapists employed at the only Montenegrin institution for multidisciplinary spa treatment and one of the largest in the Balkans.
She welcomes each patient with a smile that instills hope and encouragement, just like her colleagues, Mira, Dijana, Nataša...
Phase I of the Institute, which launched Igalo on the map of world-renowned institutions dealing with multidisciplinary treatment and rehabilitation, is now closed.
There are currently more than 500 patients in Phase II, which has improved and elevated services to a higher level.
A luxurious establishment in a beautiful setting overlooking the entrance to the Bay of Kotor, it began operating in 1987.
Located on Đurđevo brdo, far from the public eye, the Institute lives its own life, dedicated to the well-being of its patients. Generations of physiotherapists, with their hands and deeds, have written the history of the Institute for decades, working hard to create a respectable name and image. And they succeeded. These are people who treat with knowledge and a smile, and with all their hard work, they are true and silent heroes of the nation from the margins of social life...
The Igalo Institute, one of the largest collectives in Montenegro, has 475 employees, of which 438 are permanent and 37 are temporary. The president of the trade union organization, Dr. Biljana Ribar, said that the Institute is in the phase of waiting for the promised funds for the restructuring plan and the beginning of its implementation.
"Currently, the occupancy is mainly domestic guests, predominantly those who come through the Health Fund of Montenegro. Preparations are underway for the upcoming summer season, when patients from the region and beyond are expected. Like last year, Phase I of the institute will begin operating on June 1, and due to a staff shortage, it will be opened as an accommodation unit," Ribar said in an interview with "Vijesti".
The problem and the shortage of labor
She stated that, like the entire country, the Institute is suffering from a shortage of manpower.
"However, with around 200 physiotherapists, both middle and senior, and around 19 specialists in applied physiotherapy, as well as 18 doctors, mainly specialists in physical and rehabilitation medicine, as well as other specialties, the Institute is able to provide a high level of medical services, which is its core business," Ribar stated.
She reminded that the Restructuring Plan envisages further investment in human resources.
"So we hope for new education and professional training of staff so that we can provide the best possible services to all our patients and guests. Investments in equipment are also expected, including new devices, but also uniforms for staff and, of course, infrastructure investments," said Ribar.
She assessed that one way to improve the position of workers is to think about the internal housing policy in order to attract younger, quality staff and build their prospects in that institution.
"I believe that the current management, led by the executive director, Dr. Zoran Kovačević, and the Government, have shown enough understanding and determination to overcome the crisis that was pressing on the Institute and that the position of the employees has currently improved significantly. Salary payments are regular and efforts are being made to overcome other current problems. There is a clear vision of the Institute's future role in the development of health tourism, and Igalo, as the only spa in Montenegro, is the bearer of that," Ribar pointed out.
She stated that as part of its union activities, the Igalo Institute Union strongly supports the initiative of the Union of Free Trade Unions of Montenegro on the allocation of state-owned apartments as well as the preservation of economic entities of national interest in majority state ownership.
Physiotherapist Nataša Matković confirmed that the situation at the Institute is significantly better than two years ago.
"Salaries are now regular and we expect that trend to continue in the coming period," she told "Vijesti".
They assessed that it was necessary to acquire the missing physiotherapy equipment as soon as possible.
"It is not enough to invest only in facilities. We must also invest in knowledge, people and modern treatment, which includes modern physiotherapy equipment," said Matković.
She stated that employees have not been paid contributions for four years, so there is a problem with retirements.
"The encouraging fact is that after five years, the Institute operated with a positive result for the first time last year, and we hope that there will no longer be a need to deduct 10 percent from our salaries due to unprofitability," she says.
Despite everything, she, together with all her colleagues, knew how to maintain positive energy even in difficult times for the Institute.
"Love for work is stronger than anything. "Thank you" after successfully completing therapy is often our greatest satisfaction," Matković points out.
Life at the Institute is vibrant from the early morning hours and continues at the same rhythm throughout the day. It is lively in all parts of the building - physiotherapists are at their posts, patients are rushing to their scheduled treatments, they are being welcomed and seen off at the reception desk, maids are in the hallways and rooms, nurses and doctors are in the offices, restaurant staff are in the restaurant, security at the entrances, waiters in the bars...
When Scandinavia sang
Foreigners were frequent guests of the Institute, and among them Norwegians were dominant. Norvegian Street, across from the old Institute building, is a reminder of the Scandinavians, who were always happy to return to the Institute. In the new Institute, the Norwegians had their own room on the fourth floor of the building, in addition to the restaurant and aperitif bar, where they gathered and stayed, the “Norwegian room”.
The last group of foreigners, which included, in addition to Norwegians, Swedes and Dutch, stayed at the Institute about three years ago.
On the floor where the restaurant and aperitif bar are located, guests had live music three times a week. The aperitif bar, which is now open until 14,00:XNUMX pm, was then open until late in the evening with music, singing and dancing...
Bonus video:
