GOVT TO DISCUSS RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADING HEALTH OFFICIALS

ZAGREB, Oct 22 (Hina) - Due to the death of 21 patients undergoing hemodialysis, Health Care Minister Ana Stavljenic Rukavina will be relieved of her duty, while Ranko Ostojic will remain the deputy Health Care Minister, this is an unofficial statement and none of the competent officials wanted to comment on it. The government's cabinet held talks with the Health Care Minister, her deputy, the Justice Minister and the Interior Minister on Monday evening. Nobody from the government gave any comments regarding the talks and a report which should shed more light on the circumstances which caused the death of 21 dialysis patients in several days. The report was made by the Health Care Ministry Commission, and according to unofficial information, Prime Minister Ivica Racan demanded special reports of the Minister herself and her deputy as well as reports of the Croatian Public Health Institute and the Toxicology Institute. The details of the report are expected to be announced tomorrow, when the government is scheduled to hold an extraordinary session. The session should give a clear answer on a possible responsibility of the competent officials in the Croatian health care system for the tragedy of the kidney patients in eight Croatian centres for hemodialysis. The government is expected to voice its opinion on the responsibility of the leading officials in the Public Health Institute and the Rebro hospital. (hina) it