ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - The leader of the Croatian Doctors' Union, Ivica Babic, has stated that "doctors no longer have time to deal with misinformation issued daily by Health Minister Andro Vlahusic, which soils the medical
profession". "We expected understanding and acknowledgement, but the authorities have declared us the most problematic group in social and moral terms and exposed us to orchestrated media lynching," Babic said at the first general convention of Croatian doctors. The convention was called on the occasion of a recent strike of doctors and the subsequent government decision ordering them back to work. Around 700 doctors from around the country participated in the convention, at which a declaration on the protection of doctors' dignity was adopted. Babic claimed that the authorities had declared doctors enemies of the state. Doctors have been denied the right to strike as guaranteed by the Constitution
ZAGREB, March 29 (Hina) - The leader of the Croatian Doctors' Union,
Ivica Babic, has stated that "doctors no longer have time to deal
with misinformation issued daily by Health Minister Andro
Vlahusic, which soils the medical profession".
"We expected understanding and acknowledgement, but the
authorities have declared us the most problematic group in social
and moral terms and exposed us to orchestrated media lynching,"
Babic said at the first general convention of Croatian doctors.
The convention was called on the occasion of a recent strike of
doctors and the subsequent government decision ordering them back
to work. Around 700 doctors from around the country participated in
the convention, at which a declaration on the protection of
doctors' dignity was adopted.
Babic claimed that the authorities had declared doctors enemies of
the state.
Doctors have been denied the right to strike as guaranteed by the
Constitution and are the only ones to have been ordered back to
work, Babic said.
He added that the strike, which had started on January 15 and was
forcibly ended a month later, was never actually discontinued, and
that the union would challenge the government's decision before a
court.
Doctors demand in the declaration that the government immediately
revoke its decision and define together with the union an adequate
price for doctors' work.
The union also urges putting an end to "manipulation regarding
allegedly high doctors' salaries" and regulating their status with
a branch collective agreement. It also urges the authorities to
only define the bases of the health policy, without interfering in
the profession.
Health Minister Andro Vlahusic, whose non-attendance at the
convention the union resented, said he had been invited to the event
in his capacity as a doctor and not Health Minister, which was the
reason why he did not come.
He expressed readiness to cancel the decision ordering doctors back
to work on condition doctors did not resume the strike.
He supported the convention, stating that professional organising
would help improve the situation in the health system.
Although they were invited, neither the president of the state nor
representatives of the executive authorities attended the
convention.
(hina) rml