http://www.glassrbije.org/E/ The International Radio Serbia
Trajkovic: The problem of medicine supplies should be resolved immediately 17 September 2008 16:19 The director of the Health Centre in Gracanica, Rada Trajkovic, appealed to Kosovo authorities to permanently resolve the problem of supply of medicines and medical equipment to Serb communities in Kosmet. Administration must not cause the suffering of people depending on health institutions in Serb enclaves, she said commenting on a decision of the southern Mitrovica customs to retain 10 bottles with oxygen intended for the clinical and hospital centre in Gracanica, central Kosmet, due to an alleged absence of certain permits. The bottles have been kept at the customs terminal since Saturday, which is threatening the lives of many patients. The Centre needs from 10 to 15 50-liter bottles of oxygen daily. The current reserves are running out and are kept for emergency cases only. Since the proclamation of independence of Kosovo, on February 17, the customs in southern Mitrovica has retained medicines and equipment for Serb communities at several intervals. Competent Serbian authorities have addressed the WHO and received its support. The director of the Clinical and Hospital Centre in Gracanica, Stojan Sekulic, also expressed concern as there is no suggestion that bottles with oxygen will be soon delivered to that institutions. He described the confiscation of oxygen as political pressure on Serbs to move out or recognize independent Kosmet. He expressed hope that the fact that Serbian Health Ministry officials will be speaking about the confiscation of medicines for health centre in Serb enclaves in Kosmet at the session of the WHO in Georgia will contribute to a solution to this issue.
