15.11.2019

COOPERATION ESTABLISHED WITH 15 HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM FOR THE PREVENTION AND FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

"Improvement of the work transparency, introduction of systemic solutions, cooperation among public institutions and enhancement of their preventive capacities are all preconditions for the adequate fight against corruption," this was concluded today during the Ceremony for Signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with 15 healthcare institutions. The Memorandum was signed as part of a project implemented by  Transparency International in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Centres for Civic Initiatives (CCI), and funded by the European Union. The main aim of the project is to contribute to the improvement of the system of prevention and fight against corruption in BiH.  

Emsad Dizdarević, the TI BiH Project Manager, stressed in his remarks the importance of cooperation between the civil society and public institutions on strengthening corruption prevention and confronting all forms of corruption, particularly in the healthcare sector. “The advantage of this approach is that working with 15 selected institutions will lead to the best solutions for the improvement of internal regulations, based on the previous analysis, but also to the best solutions in practical work with the institutions. This cooperation aims to assist the institutions to realise anti-corruption efforts more effectively, serving as examples of good practice that may be transferred to other healthcare institutions in the country. Reducing the risk of corruption, initially in 15 healthcare institutions, would help demonstrate that it is possible for situation to improve significantly in some institutions or in the healthcare sector in general.”

The activities that will be in the focus in the coming period were presented during the event. “The signatories of the Memorandum are committed to work together to change the legal acts regulating the areas identified as vulnerable to corruption (public procurement, human resource management, conflict of interest, financial management). “Improving the system for the prevention and combat of corruption in the abovementioned areas would bring financial savings in the healthcare sector; improving the system of staff recruitment and promotion as well as strengthened capacities of healthcare workers would contribute to better quality healthcare for BiH citizens,” said Slaven Divčić on behalf of the Centres for Civic Initiatives.

The Memorandum of Cooperation was signed by Bihac Cantonal Hospital, Travnik Health Service, Lopare Health Service, Banja Luka Health Service, General Hospital “Abdulah Nakaš” Sarajevo, University Clinical Centre Tuzla, Bijeljina Health Service, Gradiška Hospital, University Hospital Foča, Brcko Health Centre, Tomislavgrad Health Service; Doboj Hospital, Health Service “Isak Samokovlija” Goražde, Konjic General Hospital and Zenica Cantonal Hospital.

"We are here today to voluntarily show that we are fully opened to the public and civil society. We are ready to take into account and respond to grounded and constructive criticisms of our work.  The University Clinical Centre Tuzla adopted the Anti-Corruption Rulebook in 2011 which has put in place institutional mechanisms for preventing and combating corruption. We want to share our experience with all other participants in the project and continue to improve our mechanisms through this project," said Ervin Mujkić, Chief of Sector for legal affairs and human resources
“Today, we are pleased to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation that will enable a higher level of cooperation with project participants, ensure greater transparency in the work of our health care institution, and the adoption of new documents that will provide better work of employees," said Želimir Nešković, the Director of the Lopare Health Centre.

The project for the prevention and combat of corruption in the healthcare, which is funded by the European Union in amount of 490,000 Euro, aims to contribute to reducing risks of corruption in the healthcare sector in BiH through improvement of transparency, accountability and integrity in 15 public healthcare institutions in BiH and establishment of systemic preventive solutions in areas of risk of corruption. More information on the project is available at http://euresurs.ba/project/9