Government of the Republic of Serbia
The European Healthcare Consumer Index (EHCI) for 2014 was presented in Brussels on 27 January, showing Serbia still at the bottom of the European scale in regards to quality of healthcare, taking 33rd place among a total of 37 countries. The deficiencies of healthcare in Serbia still include uninformed patients and unfavourable treatment outcomes, while the improvements include better access to primary healthcare doctors. Within the region, Serbia is better positioned than Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro. With regards to overall placement, the best healthcare in Europe is that in the Netherlands.
With 473 points out of a maximum of 1,000, the position of Serbia improved compared to 2013 by one place. The report states that it would appear that, after the April 2014 elections, the new Government of Serbia will make an effort at reforming the healthcare system, particularly indicating the nomination of the presiding “Doctor against corruption” as a special advisor at the Ministry of Health.
Within this year’s report, Serbia left behind Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, but also Romania. However, a long road lies before Serbia before reaching the status of a healthcare system such as those in more developed Balkans countries.
EHCI became a standard in monitoring contemporary healthcare since its inception in 2005. The index consists of a combination of public statistics, surveys implemented among patients, and independent surveys undertaken by the Health Consumer Powerhouse organization, headquartered in Sweden. This organization assesses the effectiveness of healthcare in Europe and Canada.
Source: Beta, EurActiv.rs
pdf [271 KB]
Leave a Comment