More than 2,000 doctors in Serbia who have so far supported the letter warning the Government about the country's health system nearing collapse became a target by top officials but backed by many artists, teachers and lawyers.
The doctors also criticised their colleagues, members of the state anti-epidemic Crisis Team, demanding a new staff who would enjoy people’s trust.
Predrag Kon, an epidemiologist and a member of the Team, told N1 he didn’t feel comfortable about the letter, and that he respected those who sent it, „particularly the colleagues from the first line of defence against the epidemic,“ working at COVID-19 hospitals
„These 2,000 signatories cannot be the opponents; they are ‘united in fighting COVID…’ That is the fight against the virus. Regardless of the criticism which I’m exposed to, our enemy is the virus. It’s important to realise that,“ Kon said.
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In the meantime hundreds of artists, lawyers and teachers voiced the support of the doctors.
However, some doctors who signed the letter even think about quitting the job.
„Because of hassle I have experienced for voicing my opinion, I seriously think about quitting my job at the clinic,“ Sasa Ljustina told N1.
She added she had never been politically engaged nor did support any option, but that after she signed something against the politicisation of medicine, and „after 20 years of experience, I’m forced to think about quitting.“
In the first reactions to the letter, Darija Kisic Tepavcevic, a member of the Team, said those who signed it were not experts who dealt with the epidemic.
On Friday, the Crisis Team sent a slightly different message – ‘we’re open to suggestions and remarks by our colleagues.’
But earlier, Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar said some were politically motivated; some worked at private hospitals… He later added that „no one should pressure“ those who signed the letter.
President Aleksandar Vucic said the letter was „bullying of the best doctors Serbia had.“
At the same time, Prime Minister Ana Brnabic explained that the message was not an attack on the Crisis Team she headed, but „on Vucic and then consequently on all of us.“
A forensic specialist, Slobodan Savic, one of the signatories, said he was surprised by the reactions.
„If 2,000 doctors sign something, that should mean something. It doesn’t matter what kind of specialists they are, what are their names. The doctors are overburdened, and their position should not be linked to any politics,“ Savic said.
