While Bosnia is struggling to keep the Covid-19 epidemic under control on its territory, several hundreds of health workers in the country's capital, mostly employees of Sarajevo University Clinical Centre, are on sick leave, according to the employee.

Bosnian healthcare institutions have confirmed over 1,000 coronavirus infections and 39 fatalities by April 13, as the epidemic is reaching its peak. Sarajevo's main clinical centre is a hub where most of the coronavirus tests from all parts of the country are sent for final confirmation and this is where a large number of Covid-19 patients are being treated.

But, at the moment, 307 of its workers are on sick leave.

According to Sebija Izetbegovic, the clinical centre chief, there is a huge number of irregularities and the clinical centre's management asked the competent authority to review the validity of those sick leave approvals.

The fact that they are medical workers, makes it easier for them to exercise the right to sick leave, claims Fikret Junuz, a representative of Sarajevo Canton's Health Insurance Institute.

“Unfortunately, health workers, as well as other employees in Sarajevo Canton, are prone to abusive practices too. Only the fact that doctors are part of the healthcare system speaks in favour of the fact that it is easier for them to exercise the right to sick leave,” stressed Junuz.

Fighting this negative practice should be stronger and more direct, he added.

Goran Cerkez, Assistant Healthcare Minister of Bosniak-Croat Federation (FBiH) entity, said that sanctions the right reaction to this.

“Mechanisms are absolutely available and mechanisms have to be applied if there is a suspicion. If it proves that rules were violated, there are sanctions and measures, and there should be no problem about it,” he stressed, noting that employers and Sarajevo Canton Public Healthcare Institute are the ones who control the sick leave.

Besides the employers, authorities have also announced controls.

“I will certainly demand reports from those in charge of those sick leaves so we can see what is it about,” said Sarajevo Canton Health Minister, Rusmir Mesihovic.