DOCTORS AND MEDICS RESPONDED MAGNIFICENTLY AND COURAGEOUSLY TO CHALLENGES OF DEFENSIVE-PATRIOTIC WAR

ISTOČNA ILIDŽA, SEPTEMBER 22 /SRNA/ - President Milorad Dodik said that doctors and medical staff from the Sarajevo-Romanija region responded magnificently and courageously to the challenges of the Defensive-Patriotic War.

"You left an indelible mark during a difficult time for the Serb people in that area," Dodik said in an address following the presentation of decorations to doctors and medical technicians from the Sarajevo-Romanija region.

He stressed that the healthcare workers' care for the population was a magnificent response to the challenges they faced.

"Only you know what you went through, how many times you had to improvise and how often you could not apply all the standard practices that were in place under normal circumstances. That is why it was important to recognize your work and the fact that you remained in these areas, even though you could have left," Dodik said.

Dodik stressed that the contribution of doctors and medical staff from the Sarajevo-Romanija region to the creation and liberation of Republika Srpska is beyond doubt.

"You left a mark equal to that of every fighter on the front line. In the end, you were on the front line yourselves. You evoke memories, while we can only listen to you, thank you and congratulate you on your distinguished professional careers. You are remembered among the people as icons," Dodik said.

He noted that former Republika Srpska Minister of Health and subsequently President of the National Assembly of Republika Srpska Dragan Kalinić proposed that the decoration ceremony be held in this manner.

President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan and SNSD President Milorad Dodik presented decorations today in Istočno Sarajevo to doctors and medical technicians from the Sarajevo-Romanija region for their merits in the fight against the enemy, as well as their immeasurable contribution to providing healthcare services and to the creation and liberation of Republika Srpska.

Republika Srpska Prime Minister Savo Minić also attended the presentation of the decorations.