Laković should clarify whose position she was expressing, such statements further fuel staff departures, undermine public trust and weaken the healthcare system
When someone in government claims that several hundred healthcare workers left the public system because they „could no longer steal“, that is not a slip of the tongue. It is a crude and dangerous attempt to stigmatise an entire profession. It is particularly disheartening when such a claim comes from an MP who has never tested her knowledge and abilities on the open labour market, but instead entered the privileged sphere of public finances through an early political career, as is characteristic of much of Montenegro's political class - the Doctor's Union said
The Doctors' Union of Montenegro has called on Europe Now Movement MP Nađa Laković to clarify whether, during yesterday's parliamentary session, she was expressing her personal opinion, the position of her party, or that of the parliamentary majority when she stated that 250 doctors had left the public healthcare system because they „could no longer steal“.
- Statements made in the Parliament of Montenegro must not be used to insult, single out or score political points against the very people who keep the healthcare system functioning. Especially not by those who have been elected and paid to improve that system. If MPs do not understand the weight of their public statements, that is an additional cause for serious concern - the Union said.
The Union stressed that politicians, and particularly members of parliament, have a duty to demonstrate responsibility, seriousness and restraint in their public statements.
- This applies especially to the way they speak about the state of society and the quality of healthcare services. We remind the public that the current governing majority has been involved in shaping public policy, allocating public finances, managing public services, the social welfare system and the overall institutional framework for the past seven years, and therefore bears political responsibility for the overall state of the country. The role of MPs is to improve the system, pass legislation and create conditions in which the best professionals want to remain - the statement said.
According to the Union, when someone who is part of the governing authorities claims that several hundred healthcare workers left the public system because they „could no longer steal“, this cannot be dismissed as a mere slip of the tongue. Rather, it constitutes what the Union described as a crude and dangerous attempt to stigmatise an entire profession.
- It is particularly disheartening when such an assessment comes from an MP who has never tested her knowledge and abilities on the open labour market, but instead entered the privileged sphere of public finances through an early political career, which is characteristic of much of Montenegro's political class. In contrast, many of the doctors and healthcare professionals she has indiscriminately targeted have proven their knowledge, expertise and professional value in competitive labour markets - within systems where responsibility, hard work and professional competence are rewarded according to measurable results - the Union said.
The Union argued that this illustrates the current state of Montenegrin politics.
- Those who have spent years living off the system, instead of improving it, are accusing those who are leaving it - the statement said.
Corruption in healthcare, as in any other sector, cannot be addressed, the Union warned, by recycling political slogans, grandstanding, labelling entire professions or insulting hundreds of healthcare workers.
- It is tackled through evidence, criminal complaints, the prosecution of individuals responsible, effective oversight mechanisms, quality control of healthcare services and public policies that should be implemented precisely by the minister from their own ranks. Such an approach, however, requires seriousness. It requires responsibility. It requires expertise. It requires political maturity - the Union said.
The statement added that Laković's remarks suggest that neither she nor the political group to which she belongs fully understands the seriousness of the issue.
- Instead of offering concrete solutions - clear accountability mechanisms, quality control, stronger protection of patients' rights and better working conditions - government representatives have resorted to the easiest and most dangerous approach: indiscriminately targeting an entire profession - the Union said.
The Union stressed that corruption in healthcare, as in any other system, must be clearly identified, supported by evidence and prosecuted in individual cases.
- Knowingly or unknowingly branding hundreds of healthcare workers as corrupt, without evidence and without any institutional accountability, represents political irresponsibility of the worst kind. Such statements do not heal the healthcare system - they further damage it. They do not strengthen public confidence in healthcare - they undermine it. They do not stop the outflow of medical professionals - they only accelerate it - the Union concluded.