Kosovo - PSI urges President not to declare new health law

The following points have been communicated to the President of the Republic of Kosovo.  European Federation of Pulic Service Unions sent a letter to the President on 20 December, which you will find below.

Public-private partnership

FSSHK is strongly opposed to the expressed “equality” of public sector, private sector and public-private in the draft for health provisions.  FSSHK believes that this purpoted "equality" of public-private partnership should be deleted.

National Health Service

The National Health Service that is envisaged by the provisions of this bill has the status of public enterprise, which leads to the privatization of public health institutions. The creation of the service at national level would thus remain at the whim of the government as founder of NHS. Also, the centralised character of this service, characterised by poor management could increase corruption.

Opposition to Article 41 of the draft law on health

Article 41 of the draft law foresees the prohibition of the free professional movement for all employees in the public sector, where they are prevented from working in private health institutions. FSSHK believes this regulation is unfair, even if it does not affect work that is carried out in public institutions. FSSKHK believes that this represents an additional opportunity to increase the level of corruption in the health sector, taking into account that this law and its promulgator, the Ministry of Health, is not able to meet even the minimal essential conditions for workers in public health institutions.

Primary Care

Institutional responsibility in primary care should be clearly defined, not passing on responsibilities to the municipal assemblies.