At the sitting held on 13 October, the Committee on Health and the Family considered the Bill amending and modifying the Health Care Law and the Proposal of the Decision on the Plan of Health Care Development in the Republic of Serbia, in principle.

The proposed amendments and modifications to the Health Care Law were explained by Sate Secretary at the Ministry of Health Nevena Karanovic who stressed that they would equalise the conditions for supplementary labour for all health care workers. Health care workers in a health care facility i.e. private practice can do supplementary labour outside of their regular working hours, and the Bill also envisages the conclusion of contracts on supplementary labour of up to a third of full-time working hours. That will contribute to the increased range of health care services, reduce the waiting lists and improve the quality of work for the benefit of the patient, said the Ministry of Health representative.

The Committee members made several objections and suggestions to the Bill. The representatives of the private doctors association and non-governmental organisations did not endorse the amendments and modifications saying that their implementation would boost corruption and enable quality treatment only for patients with money. The debate also gave voice to the opinion that a completely new health care law should be passed as the existing one does not comply with European regulations.

By a majority of votes, the Committee ruled to propose that the National Assembly adopt the Bill.

At the sitting, the Committee also considered the Proposal of the Decision on the Plan of Health Care Development in the Republic of Serbia to which the Committee members made several objections and suggestions.

The sitting was chaired by Dr Paja Momcilov, Committee Chairman.