"We pay very little attention to risk factors that are extremely prevalent. We fall into a very high risk zone for cardiovascular diseases, we have a huge number of smokers, obese people, people who consume alcohol... And all this makes chronic non-communicable diseases number one when it comes to getting sick and dying. Therefore, the Ministry of Health has placed emphasis on greater investment in preventive activities. We are trying to strengthen the role of the chosen doctor in the system, because the chosen doctor is the pillar of prevention," said Dr. Cojić.
He points out that the elected doctor is the one who should coordinate most of the preventive activities for our citizens. Unfortunately, as he says, elected doctors have so far been burdened with a lot of administration.
"We are trying to change that. We are strengthening their capacities in terms of strengthening their skills. Now the selected doctors are trained. We have created programs modeled after Slovenia and the doctors have taken exams that are taken in the EU. At the same time, the regulation on primary level services strengthens their powers, so that the selected doctors will actually be able to take care of 80% of patients' health problems," announced Dr. Cojić.
According to her, they have completed training for the ultrasound experiment.
"This is a targeted ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis, which will help them identify whether the patient is suitable for further radiological diagnostics. Another major challenge faced by the Ministry of Health is waiting lists. I will mention two positive examples of resolving these lists. One is ultrasound diagnostics at the Podgorica Health Center, and the other is the Cardiology Clinic of the Clinical Center. Here, doctors, or administrators and nurses, have taken on the role of scheduling. The patient is relieved, he is not lost in the system, but after completing the examination with the cardiologist, he receives an appointment for the next check-up and possibly for additional diagnostics," said Dr. Cojić.
He points out that appointments are now available in September with a cardiologist, as well as appointments for Holter monitoring, heart ultrasound, 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and many other diagnostic procedures.
She announced that the next step is to expand this pilot project.
"It has already been expanded to endocrine and rheumatology, as well as to the Children's Hospital. What is important is that this project has several phases. So, waiting lists are not resolved overnight. We have opened them for now. Appointments are known for six months. We have made it possible for them to be visible now, and not like before, when they were known for a month, two or three, and many patients could not get an appointment at all. Of course, we are not satisfied with the long wait. What follows is to shorten that wait. We will achieve this by strengthening the role of the elected doctor, then through private-public partnerships and through additional and overtime clinics in health institutions. Therefore, the plan is to strengthen the capacity of the public health system and partner with private institutions for services that require the longest waits," explained Dr. Cojić.
She recalled that the number of doctors in Montenegro has increased in recent years. In 2024, there were 1,990, and today there are 2,600.
"However, the problem is their uneven distribution. There are significantly more doctors in the central region than in the north and south. We are trying to change that. We will certainly work on improving working conditions," said Dr.
The doctor points out that one of the main reasons why doctors leave public healthcare, besides, of course, financial reasons, is working conditions.
"Weaknesses include the lack of protocols, the lack of guidelines, the lack of opportunities for advancement and continuing medical education. The Ministry of Health has made a great effort to improve the living and working conditions of doctors, both by increasing the number of specializations, opportunities for further education, and by increasing allocations for continuing medical education. Salaries have also been increased, not only for doctors, but also for middle and senior medical staff, so that work is truly comprehensive," Dr. Cojić pointed out.
She highlighted, according to her statements, a revolutionary and major reform process.
"This is the introduction of standard operating procedures. They guarantee the patient that he will be treated with equal quality in the northern, southern, and central regions. Likewise, the doctor is protected if he has done everything as prescribed by guidelines and science," concluded Dr. Cojić.
