Healthcare workers in Northern Kosovo: We are disturbed and concerned for patients and jobs

Employees in healthcare institutions in northern Kosovo, after the protest held following last night’s raid by members of the Kosovo Police into the security premises of the Clinical Hospital Center (KBC) and the Health Center in North Mitrovica, told Kosovo Online that they are disturbed and concerned for their safety, for patients, and for their jobs.

Pulmonologist Milan Ivanovic, who was on duty at the time of the raid, emphasized that there was great distress among patients and medical staff.

“This is an attempt at complete ethnic cleansing of Serbs from these areas. We must be united, in solidarity. We are here, after all, as official staff, and they cannot drive us out of here. If we remain united, not even with the help of their special units, not even with the help of domestic traitors like Rasic and the others,” Ivanovic stressed.

One of the medical workers, Danijela Tomic, said that both patients and staff were frightened and insecure.

“We feel disturbed, both we and the patients. And of course frightened, because we no longer feel safe at our workplace, and we are here because of the patients. The patients felt it, everyone felt disturbed. We were there all the time beside them so that they would feel safe, but it was quite difficult, because they are asking what happens next if they continue to raid like this,” she said.

Asked whether she thinks it is possible for the healthcare system to be integrated into Kosovo’s system and what effect that would have on patients and employees, Tomic was clear:

“None. And we hope that this will not happen.”

Svetlana Milovic, employed in the laundry where the Kosovo Police previously conducted a search, emphasized that she is concerned for patients, but also for the livelihood of the employees and their families.

“We feel disturbed, this is not the first time that they raid us. We are disturbed because of our jobs, for our families, survival, patients… We live with this every day,” said Milovic.

Healthcare workers employed at the KBC Kosovska Mitrovica and health centers in the four northern municipalities organized a protest gathering on the occasion of last night’s raid by members of the Kosovo Police into the security premises of the KBC Kosovska Mitrovica and the Health Center Kosovska Mitrovica. Workers carried banners reading: “We want to be treated freely,” “Our doctors, our patients, our KBC,” “Hands off the hospital,” “America, react, Serbs are disappearing,” and “Europe, protect our rights.”