What did the doctors do on the cruise? ASK receives notification from KCCG, will investigate whether there is corruption

The Agency for the Prevention of Corruption (ASK) is analyzing documentation submitted to them by the management of the Clinical Center of Montenegro to assess whether the public interest was jeopardized by the doctor's trip on a cruise, which was paid for by a pharmaceutical company.

The KCCG also confirmed to "Vijesti" that they had questioned the doctors about the circumstances of the disputed trip, especially since among them were now former heads and directors of clinics, so that the competent Agency could provide an opinion and recommendations for further action.

Editorial sources claim that one of the members of the Board of Directors of the largest healthcare institution, a public official whose identity is known to "Vijesti", was also on this organized trip.

The control followed after the Tax Administration, while controlling a travel agency, determined that a pharmaceutical company had paid 50.588,90 euros to 24 people, including doctors from the Croatian Medical Center.

ASK said that they received a notification from the KCCG in which the institution informed them that they had carried out certain actions to collect evidence and verify media allegations about the disputed trip.

"After preliminary processing of the data contained in the notification, the Agency will assess whether there are elements to initiate proceedings ex officio in the part relating to the threat to the public interest that indicates the existence of corruption," the response states.

Responding to questions from "Vijesti", the KCCG said that upon learning that the doctors were on cruises financed by a pharmaceutical company, they conducted a process of collecting information about the event.

"It was noted that a similar event was not organized by the KCCG, especially not by the KCCG Science Center (CEZANA), which is responsible for the areas of professional development and scientific research activities. Also, the specific event was not recorded in the work plan of the Science Center," the institution, which is headed by Dr. Aleksandar Radovic.

The KCCG pointed out that it was determined that a number of doctors participated in the event and responded that there were no members of the inner management on the cruise.

"According to the statements obtained from doctors, participation in organized events took place outside of doctors' working hours, during vacations, which is why they believed that consent from the KCCG administration was not required," the administration responded.

The KCCG said that, appreciating the importance of transparency in the work of the institution, the integrity of the medical profession and responsibility towards patients that the administration inherits as principles for achieving equal healthcare services, and especially because a number of participating doctors performed the duties of clinic directors and heads of clinics, they submitted all the collected information and statements to the ASK.

"...So that the Agency, within its competence, could give an opinion regarding the possible existence of a conflict of interest and make recommendations for further action," the response reads.

They also said that, especially because the ASK proceedings are ongoing, they cannot disclose the names of the participants in the event.

The KCCG explained that activities in the field of professional development, scientific and research activities, which include cooperation with pharmaceutical companies or companies engaged in similar activities, are carried out by that institution in accordance with the Regulation on Professional Development and Scientific and Research Activities, adopted on June 16, 2025, based on amendments to the Law on Health Care, which further determines the conditions, methods and procedures for their implementation.

That document, as previously reported by "Vijesti", in the section on continuous medical education, states that the KCCG, independently or in cooperation with other health institutions, scientific and similar institutions, associations, pharmaceutical companies and other entities, can organize professional meetings (courses, symposiums, seminars, lectures, etc.) for the purpose of professional development of employees.

It also states that an employee can secure sponsorship to attend a professional conference, provided there is no conflict of interest.

The Health Care Law from last year stipulates that an employee is obliged to immediately report any suspicion of a conflict of interest or receiving a gift to the ethics committee of the institution where he or she is employed.

A conflict of interest, within the meaning of this law, exists when the private interest of a healthcare worker or healthcare associate influences or may influence his or her impartiality and objectivity, and it is prohibited to accept money, securities or precious metals, as well as gifts, except for occasional gifts up to a value of 50 euros.