Minister of Health Slavica Djukic Dejanovic presented the Ministry’s normative activities.

The completed draft laws on the protection of persons with mental health problems and on the protection of patients’ rights are currently put to public debate, said the Minister adding that amendments and modifications to the Health Care Law and Health Insurance Law are also underway.

Following a short debate the Committee members adopted the Ministry of Health Activity Information for the period July-September 2012.

The sitting then turned to a discussion on radio treatment of oncology patients in Serbia. It was pointed out that patients suffering from malignant diseases are in a very difficult situation in view of the several-month-long waits for analysis and treatment at most clinical centres and oncology and radiology institutes in Serbia.

The Committee members exchanged their opinions and positions on the problems as regards the waiting lists and potentials for trade with them, lack of facilities, staff and equipment for the treatment of malignant diseases, with directors and representatives of clinical centres, oncology and radiology institutes, the Serbian Health Council, Republic Health Insurance Fund, Serbian Medical Chamber, Serbian Medical Society, Serbian Anti-Cancer Society, National Association of Parents of Children with Cancer and Doctors Against Corruption.

Following the discussion, the Committee concluded that the Ministry of Health should secure an investment of one billion RSD for four linear accelerator systems and a suitable number of CT simulators by the end of the year. In addition to linear accelerators for standard and conformal radiotherapy, it is essential to plan and invest into the construction of suitable bunkers to house them and the accompanying equipment.