Healthcare in Serbia
The Serbian healthcare system today consists of primary, secondary, and tertiary care centers.[1] Most primary care centers provide services such as general medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, gynecology, preventative care, and laboratory services in an outpatient setting, but larger clinics may also offer specialty services and public health surveillance. Smaller primary health stations offer services further out into communities in addition to the larger care centers.[2] Cardiovascular disease was one of the most prevalent causes of death in Serbia in 2000 along with malignant diseases and injuries, both accidental and self-inflicted.[3] Mental health has become of increasing public concern in the aftermath of the recent wars in Serbia. Both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression have remained prevalent even several years after the end of the 1999 bombings in Serbia.[4]
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Changes in the healthcare system
In the past few decades, there have been numerous changes in the Serbian government to the healthcare system that were set up when Serbia was a Republic of Yugoslavia. During those years, healthcare was free but practically unavailable to all people, there were no fixed prices, and services were often abused. Today, reforms have mandated but failed to implememnt a basic level of health services for all people, but at varying levels or co-payment. Services not covered may be supplemented by private insurance.[5] Current concerns in the field of Serbian healthcare, as reported by the medical staff providing care, are poor funding for primary care, inadequate equipment and supplies, inadequate salaries, and inadequate continuing medical education.[6] Overall, the recent healthcare reforms have tried to change the emphasis from curative to preventative care.[7]
Culture of healthcare in Serbia
The culture of healthcare in Serbia may be considered very corrupt.[8] Self care is mainly practiced when a patient is already ill versus as a preventative measure. Care is usually sought from healthcare professionals such as doctors or nurses where bribes are commonly expected, but some folk medications are used such as teas, vinegar, herbs, and vitamins. Changes in activity levels such as more rest or increased exercise are sometimes used as curative measures for illness, and perceived causes of illness may be improper diet or fate.[9] Hjelm, Bard, Nyberg, and Apleqvist (2005) state that most former Yugoslavians feel health is not the absence of disease, but rather it is “wealth and the most important thing in life…to have enough strength” (p. 51).
In 2015 it was estimated that 11.96% of the population has diabetes, costing about $666 per person per year.[10]
References
Further reading
- Nelson, B.D., Simic, S., Beste, L., Vukovic, D., Bjegovic,V., & VanRooyen, M.J. (2003). Multimodal assessment of the primary healthcare system of Serbia: A model for evaluating post conflict health systems. Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, 18(1), 6-13
- Hjelm, K., Nyberg, P., Isacsson, A., & Apelqvist, J. (1999). Beliefs about health and illness essential for self-care practice: a comparison of migrant Yugoslavian and Swedish diabetic females. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 30(5), 1147-1159.
- Hjelm, K.G., Bard, K., Nyberg, P, & Apelqvist, J. (2005). Beliefs about health and diabetes in men of different ethnic origin. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 50(1), 47-59.
- McCathy, M. (2007). Serbia rebuilds and reforms its health-care system. Lancet, 369, 360.
- Kunitz, S.J. (2004). The making and breaking of Yugoslavia and its impact on health. American Journal of Public Health, 94(11), 1894-1904.
- Vlajinac, H., Marinkovik, J., Kocev, N., Sipetic, S., Bjegovic, V., Jankovic, S.,…Maksimivic, J. (2008). Years of life lost due to premature death in Serbia (excluding Kosovo and Metohia). Journal of the Royal Institute of Public Health, 122, 277-284.
