On 11 April, the Committee on Health and the Family held a sitting at the Studenica Health Center in Kraljevo, at the invitation of the health institution’s director.

The Committee considered the problems arisen in the health institution’s operation in the wake of the earthquake that struck the Kraljevo region in the night between 2 and 3 November 2010. The sitting was chaired by Committee Chairman Dr Paja Momcilov.

In addition to the Committee members, Director of Studenica Health Center Dr Dragan Arsic, Director of Kraljevo Primary Health Care Center Dr Mirjana Krcevinac, head of the infectious diseases ward and member of the Board of Directors Dr Milan Parezanovic, head of the pneumophysiological service Dr Jovanka Lukovic and State Secretary at the Ministry of Health Elizabeta Paunovic took part in the sitting.

The Committee members were briefed on the problems in the operation of health services and efforts to repair the damage the facilities suffered in the earthquake. They visited the heavily damaged building of the internist hospital, as well as the hospital’s internal and gynecological ward and the primary health care center.

Following a debate the Committee unanimously adopted the following conclusions:

1. The Committee on Health and the Family commends all the healthcare workers and the management of Studenica Health Center from Kraljevo for their successful handling of the citizens’ health problems in the extraordinary circumstances caused by the earthquake that struck the Kraljevo region on 3 November 2010

2. The Committee notes that, after the earthquake, the Government of the Republic of Serbia and the Ministry of Health initially ensured adequate assistance for the citizens and Studenica Health Center in Kraljevo

3. The Committee believes that the Ministry of Health should take full responsibility for an accurate estimation of the damages, funds needed and seeking real funding sources, as well as undertake the necessary activities to repair said damages

4. In the future reconstruction of the building infrastructure, construction protocols relating to statistical calculations should be strictly followed so as to avoid the situation after the past reconstructions when the facilities failed to withstand the earthquake

5. The Committee appeals to all social factors and competent state authorities to take the additional effort to assist Studenica Health Center in Kraljevo in repairing the damages.