SARAJEVO, SEPTEMBER 28 (ONASA) – On the proposal of the Minister of Health of the Sarajevo Canton (KS) Enis Hasanović, the Government of the KS adopted on Friday a Decision establishing a special, priority program of drugs used in the therapy of oncology patients in the territory of the KS, which can be prescribed and issued at the expense of the funds of the Institute of Health insurance (ZZO) KS. The goal is to intervene and solve the problem of KS oncology patients who are on the waiting list for medicine or treatment at the Institute of Health Insurance and Reinsurance of the Federation of BIH (Federal Solidarity Fund), says the press release of the KS Ministry of Health.
The priority drug program will be implemented at the expense of the ZZO KS funds, in the total amount of five million KM for the year 2024. ZZO KS is in charge of planning funds for these purposes for the next year as well.
Medicines will be prescribed by doctors employed at the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo (KCUS) – Clinic for Oncology, and will be delivered by JU “Apoteka Sarajevo” based on the specification/needs/list of necessary drugs made by the responsible person of the Oncology Clinic KCUS- and for each patient individually on a weekly basis.
JU “Apoteke Sarajevo” undertakes to provide medicines from the Decision, and to invoice the same to ZZO KS at prices that will be determined by a special contract between ZZO KS, JU “Apoteke Sarajevo” and the Ministry of Health of KS.
This decision on the priority drug program will enter into force on the day following its publication in the “Official Gazette of the Canton of Sarajevo” and will apply until the Federal Solidarity Fund for oncology patients from KS provides drugs, i.e. until the waiting list for drugs or treatment is abolished for all KS insured persons with the Federal Solidarity Fund, and in accordance with the available funds in the Financial Plan of ZZO KS.
KS Prime Minister Nihad Uk thanked Minister Hasanović, as well as the director of ZZO KS Muamer Kosovac, and the management of JU Apoteka Sarajevo, who created a solution to this problem.
“I also thank the cantonal representatives and delegates in the House of Peoples of the Federal Parliament, Vibor Handžić, Belma Kapo and Aljoša Čampara, who initiated changes to the Law on Health Insurance that would permanently solve the problem of the waiting list for medicine for all oncology patients in the Federation. We had a meeting with the association that represents oncology patients and got acquainted with their problems in detail, and promised a solution”, stated the Prime Minister of the UK at the press conference where the Decision of the Government of KS was presented.
Minister Hasanović emphasized that all oncology patients in Sarajevo Canton will be included in the priority drug program.
The KS Ministry of Health, where oncology specialists are involved, has the right to determine that someone can be immediately put on the priority list without a waiting period because it depends on the diagnosis. So, all medicines will be put on the list according to priorities, that is, either according to the length of the wait or the type of cancer, so that the doctors will choose the best treatment for each patient individually. We wish we had not come to this situation where patients are suffering, and we are looking for a legal solution for a long period of time, even though it is not within our jurisdiction. Nevertheless, this is a big, even revolutionary step to abolish or at least reduce the list of very difficult medical treatments,” stated Minister Hasanović.
Director Kosovac said that it was necessary to intervene through joint activities with the Ministry of Health and the Government of KS, and through the list of medicines to provide funds to help oncology patients – insured persons of KS.
“The priority drug program will be implemented at the expense of the funds of ZZO KS, in the total amount of five million KM for the year 2024, and in accordance with the funds available in the Financial Plan of the Institute for the current year. In the past period, from the aspect of healthcare financiers, the Institute provided financial liquidity for all healthcare institutions in the KS and enabled the citizens of the KS to exercise the greatest rights in the FBiH. Also, through financing, over 100 million KM was given to increase the standards of healthcare workers,” said director Kosovac. (end)