Health Sector Reform: Calls for Elimination of Corrupt Practices in Serbia
Healthcare reform advocates demand systemic changes to combat pervasive corruption within Serbia's health system.
In a public appeal directed at Prime Minister Macut, the non-governmental organization 'Doctors Against Corruption' highlighted the urgent need for significant reforms in Serbia's healthcare system, citing a history of unsuccessful attempts by previous administrations to address systemic issues.
The organization emphasized that as a healthcare professional, the Prime Minister is expected to understand the critical state of the healthcare service and to take necessary actions for rapid and effective improvement.
According to the organization, a widely recognized example of systemic corruption is the allowance for state-employed doctors to simultaneously operate in the private sector.
This dual engagement has led to low productivity within public health services, resulting in extensive waitlists and a subsequent influx of patients into the private sector — often being seen by the same doctors who serve both roles.
The group pointed out that this 'double payment' model, where patients pay both through mandatory health contributions and out-of-pocket expenses, significantly reduces both the accessibility and fairness of the health system for many citizens of average wealth.
This practice has contributed to alarming morbidity and mortality statistics.
The ramifications of legalized conflict of interest have also been observed in the expansion of a parasitic private healthcare sector, which has not enhanced competition but rather thrives on creating artificial waitlists in public health facilities.
'Doctors Against Corruption' urged the Prime Minister that any announcements regarding healthcare reform would be perceived as cynical propaganda unless they are accompanied by fundamental changes to systemic laws and the elimination of corrupt regulations.
They claimed that past efforts to combat corruption have only served to reinforce this view.
In their appeal, they expressed hope that the Prime Minister would possess the political will to initiate urgent changes within this critical public service.
They offered to provide a detailed agenda of concrete anti-corruption measures in healthcare, tailored to eliminate what they describe as a hazardous practice affecting the health and lives of Serbian citizens, should the Prime Minister request it.
The organization emphasized that as a healthcare professional, the Prime Minister is expected to understand the critical state of the healthcare service and to take necessary actions for rapid and effective improvement.
According to the organization, a widely recognized example of systemic corruption is the allowance for state-employed doctors to simultaneously operate in the private sector.
This dual engagement has led to low productivity within public health services, resulting in extensive waitlists and a subsequent influx of patients into the private sector — often being seen by the same doctors who serve both roles.
The group pointed out that this 'double payment' model, where patients pay both through mandatory health contributions and out-of-pocket expenses, significantly reduces both the accessibility and fairness of the health system for many citizens of average wealth.
This practice has contributed to alarming morbidity and mortality statistics.
The ramifications of legalized conflict of interest have also been observed in the expansion of a parasitic private healthcare sector, which has not enhanced competition but rather thrives on creating artificial waitlists in public health facilities.
'Doctors Against Corruption' urged the Prime Minister that any announcements regarding healthcare reform would be perceived as cynical propaganda unless they are accompanied by fundamental changes to systemic laws and the elimination of corrupt regulations.
They claimed that past efforts to combat corruption have only served to reinforce this view.
In their appeal, they expressed hope that the Prime Minister would possess the political will to initiate urgent changes within this critical public service.
They offered to provide a detailed agenda of concrete anti-corruption measures in healthcare, tailored to eliminate what they describe as a hazardous practice affecting the health and lives of Serbian citizens, should the Prime Minister request it.
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
