The Students’ List in Serbia has proposed an ambitious healthcare initiative titled “doctor in every village,” aiming to ensure accessible healthcare for all citizens, regardless of their location. This plan, as articulated by Katarina Stanković, a member of the Students’ List and a pediatric otolaryngologist, emphasizes the state’s obligation to provide accessible healthcare rather than a literal promise of a doctor available 24/7 in every village.
Stanković explained that the plan is grounded in the principle that a person’s place of residence should not determine their access to timely medical care. The proposal involves a comprehensive assessment of the current healthcare infrastructure, including the number and condition of functional health facilities and the distribution of healthcare workers. She highlighted that the major issue in the healthcare system is not only the lack of facilities but also the shortage of healthcare professionals.
The Students’ List suggests that in larger villages, general practitioners or family medicine doctors should be present in adequately equipped clinics. In smaller communities, healthcare could be organized through regular visits by designated doctors, mobile teams, home visits, and consultations. Stanković stressed the importance of offering decent salaries, housing solutions, good working conditions, opportunities for professional development, and continuous communication with regional health centers to attract healthcare workers to remote areas.
Stanković also pointed out the need to make medications more accessible, ensuring that citizens do not have to choose between essential needs such as medication, rent, food, and bills. This would involve strict enforcement of laws, control of prescribed margins, and serious negotiations between the state and pharmaceutical companies.
Addressing the shortage of healthcare workers, Stanković attributed it to factors such as emigration for work abroad and poor planning by the Ministry of Health and healthcare institutions. She advocated for optimizing existing personnel and equipment to improve healthcare services and availability until the workforce gap is filled.
If elected as a national representative, Stanković pledged to advocate for shorter waiting lists, transparent financial management, accountability in healthcare administration, and prioritizing patient needs. She emphasized her commitment to being a voice for children, parents, patients, and healthcare workers, particularly focusing on improving children’s healthcare, strengthening prevention, and early disease detection.
The proposal also includes integrating private healthcare facilities into the Serbian healthcare system, suggesting several models for achieving this. Stanković underscored the necessity of investing in prevention, as early detection and treatment of diseases are more cost-effective and beneficial for patients.
Vladan Marković, a radiologist and vice president of the Union of Doctors and Pharmacists of Serbia, expressed support for the initiative to restore the healthcare workforce to levels seen 20 to 30 years ago. He noted that while there have been improvements with the hiring of young healthcare professionals during the pandemic, the distribution of these workers remains a concern, with a preference for larger centers over smaller, rural areas.
The Students’ List’s proposal reflects ongoing challenges in Serbia’s healthcare sector, particularly in rural areas where access to medical services is limited. The plan’s feasibility remains uncertain due to the existing shortage of healthcare workers and resources, and the lack of detailed implementation strategies or timelines. However, the initiative highlights a significant effort to address healthcare disparities and improve access for all Serbian citizens.
