MACUT: SUCCESSFUL COOPERATION IN HEALTHCARE SHOULD CONTINUE

BANJA LUKA, JUNE 23 /SRNA/ - Serbian Prime Minister Đuro Macut said during a visit to the University Clinical Centre /UCC/ of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka that the successful cooperation between Republika Srpska and Serbia in the field of healthcare will continue and be further enhanced.

"Our cooperation is long-standing and already well established, but it can be made more efficient and better. We can also improve cooperation between our universities, governments, and people," Macut told reporters in Banja Luka after visiting the Endocrinology Department of the Clinic for Internal Medicine at the UCC.

He said he was impressed by the professional standards and overall level of progress achieved by the University Clinical Centre, particularly in cardiac surgery.

"My wish was for similar progress to be made in endocrinology as well, through better education and the scientific development of young specialists. In that regard, Serbia will always stand shoulder to shoulder with Republika Srpska," Macut said.

He also expressed satisfaction that the healthcare system of Republika Srpska is fully resilient, adequately staffed, and well-equipped.

"I hope that we will raise the level of our existing cooperation and become a unified scientific and professional community," Macut said.

Nikola Šobot, Acting Director of the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska, said that the institution he heads has always enjoyed excellent professional, educational, and scientific cooperation with Serbia’s healthcare sector.

"The University Clinical Centre has grown and developed precisely through that cooperation, which we intend to further strengthen following Prime Minister Macut’s visit," Šobot said, thanking Macut for everything he has done so far for the development of the UCC, the medical profession, and endocrinology in Republika Srpska.

Macut visited the Endocrinology Department together with the management of the University Clinical Centre of Republika Srpska, Republika Srpska Minister of Health and Social Welfare Alen Šeranić, and the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka, Ranko Škrbić.

Šeranić noted that Macut is a visiting professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Banja Luka and has been cooperating with local endocrinologists for many years.

"His support for the development of endocrinology here, as well as other medical and healthcare programmes and healthcare services in Republika Srpska, is significant," Šeranić said, adding that Macut’s support for the advancement, engagement, and education of young professional staff is also important.

Macut, who is an endocrinologist and full professor at the Faculty of Medicine in Belgrade, also held talks with the management of the University Clinical Centre during his visit to Banja Luka today.