HIGH LEVEL OF CARE FOR ONCOLOGY PATIENTS AT SRPSKA UCC

BANJA LUKA, AUGUST 26 /SRNA/ – The level of healthcare provided to oncology patients at the University Clinical Center /UCC/ of Republika Srpska is very high, with the traditional cooperation between healthcare institutions in Republika Srpska and Serbia also contributing to this, it was said following today’s visit by a delegation from Serbia’s Ministry of Health and the Institute of Oncology and Radiology of Serbia to the institution in Banja Luka.

Republika Srpska Minister of Health and Social Welfare Alen Šeranić said that the delegation from Serbia had seen at the UCC of Republika Srpska a complete treatment cycle for patients suffering from cancer. “These include the oncology, radiology and nuclear medicine clinics, as well as the Radiotherapy Centre,” Šeranić said at a press conference following the meeting with the Serbia’s delegation and a tour of these clinics. He said that Republika Srpska had allocated an additional BAM 15 million from the budget to the Health Insurance Fund of Republika Srpska for the programme of medicines used to treat oncology patients. “Indications for certain oncology medicines will be expanded,” Šeranić said. He thanked his colleagues from Serbia for their support to patients, as well as for providing training to healthcare professionals from Republika Srpska at institutions in Serbia. Answering journalists’ questions, Šeranić said that in recent years Republika Srpska had provided significantly greater support to people suffering from rare diseases. “We have done a great deal by establishing a Centre for Rare Diseases here at the UCC and forming a team dedicated to this issue. The focus is on children and detecting these diseases,” Šeranić said. Nemanja Zečević, State Secretary at Serbia’s Ministry of Health, assessed that the level of services at the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska was at a world-class level. He also highlighted the traditionally good and fraternal cooperation between Republika Srpska and Serbia in healthcare. “Unfortunately, we are seeing an increasing number of oncology patients in Republika Srpska and Serbia. We need to do more to prevent these diseases. We are ready to join forces and defeat this scourge,” Zečević said. UCC Director Nikola Šobot said that the visit by the Serbian delegation was particularly important because the exchange of experience further strengthens cooperation aimed at improving care for oncology patients. “This is a new level of cooperation that requires the integration of two fraternal states. This meeting generated new ideas for caring for patients from Republika Srpska and Serbia. This is a trend of continued learning and professional development. All our patients receive the necessary care. Treatment is completely free of charge,” Šobot stressed. Milan Žegarac, director of Serbia’s Institute of Oncology and Radiology, said that oncology care at the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska was at a very high level. “Oncology in the new building looks excellent, at the highest world standard. Our cooperation is continuous, and we always consult each other for the benefit of patients. All treatment modalities are available here,” Žegarac said.