HEALTH INSTITUTIONS IN UNTAES AREA REINTEGRATED INTO CROATIA

( Editorial: --> 5717 ) ZAGREB, Dec 3 (Hina) - Croatian Health Minister Andrija Hebrang and UNTAES Civil Affairs Coordinator Gerard Fischer on Wednesday signed an agreement on the reintegration of health institutions in the UNTAES-controlled Danube region into the Croatian health system. Noting that the reintegration of health institutions was one of the most sensitive areas, Fischer said that the signing of the agreement was proof that the peaceful reintegration process could succeed. Hebrang said that the reintegration of the health system would contribute to the normalisation of life for all people in the UN- administered area regardless of their ethnic background. Under the agreement, Croatia pledged to employ all people working in health institutions in the region. So far 882 employees, including 50 returnees, have signed an employment contract. Another 320 health workers are expected to return to the region in the next six months. Hebrang said that all inhabitants of the region were entitled to health insurance regardless of whether they had received health cards. Hebrang said that the reconstruction of the Vukovar hospital was under way and that 40 million kuna would be invested in rebuilding regional health centres next year. He added that new equipment was being purchased for health centres in the region and that the Croatian government planned to renew medical equipment in the next two or three years. (hina) vm mm 031943 MET dec 97