Minister: This epidemic showed that Serbia has a serious health care system

Photo: Tanjug/Zoran Zestic

The coronavirus epidemic showed that Serbia has a serious health system, says Minister of Health Zlatibor Loncar and adds that we didn't have Covid patients lying in corridors, or getting taken off ventilators earlier that should have been done because there weren't enough machines, drugs and protective equipment.

"With the adequate reaction of the health system and with great help from the president of the state, we managed to procure everything that was necessary in a short period of time," Loncar said during the online conference "Health in Serbia after the pandemic."

He stressed that after the coronavirus virus pandemic, nothing will remain the same, especially for the health systems.

"I thank health workers, who are the heroes of this time. Were it not for them, our serious state, the president, would have hardly had this result. This way, we can be proud because we have entered calm waters," the minister stated.

He stressed that there is no relaxing, but that work will continue at the same pace, that coronavirus is "with us" and that we must learn to live with it.

"This is a great experience for the state, for health workers and the health system. That will serve us to adequately respond to all challenges that we'll face in the future," he said.

The policy of investing in health workers and their employment will continue, work will be done to improve their training, but also working conditions.

"We expect them to adapt to new standards and to respond to any new challenges that may arise. We need a new generation of health workers, a new way of thinking, a new system of work," the minister pointed out.

According to Loncar, Serbia has learned lessons from the coronavirus epidemic, came out of it more experienced, and will be able to apply that experience going forward.

(Telegraf.rs/ Tanjug)