Private medical practice is a very young sector. Until 1989, the laws of the former Yugoslavia did not allow the private practice. Now, years later, there are around 1,500 private healthcare facilities (general hospitals, specialised hospitals, community health centres and polyclinics)
According to data collated by the World Bank, the share of out-of-pocket expenditure for health in Serbia is 38 per cent. However, private healthcare facilities are still facing many problems, such as a lack of understanding and lack of cooperation with public institutions.
In order for the healthcare system in Serbia to yield more efficient results, we need to reform our health insurance. Our citizens have been paying into health insurance funds throughout their working lives, but not all of them have been able to use healthcare in the way or at the time when they need it the most. Despite paying into state healthcare funds, people often have to pay private health practitioners too, because they are unable to access the state healthcare services or have to wait a very long time for treatment.
Because nobody has come up with a solution as yet, state health institutions are overwhelmed, the private sector has a lot of available capacities and patients are unhappy because they are either going to receive their treatment very late or have to pay for the health services twice, despite having state health insurance.
If the national healthcare fund were to introduce fair, economic prices of health services, healthcare funds would work in the service of patients and every patient would be able to choose a doctor and healthcare institution, be it private or state. In that case, private practice doctors would be able to plan and invest better in healthcare, which would definitely increase the level of service.
Our country and economy would benefit from a stronger private health sector. We don’t want to see patients and doctors leave for other countries, to be treated or to find jobs respectively. The private medical sector has grown a lot and, thanks to its staff and the number of available beds, has become a credible partner that supports the overall development of our healthcare system.