The Health Directorate in Gjilan confirms the departure of 60 workers

Health in this municipality has confirmed the departure of workers who were committed to providing health services to citizens as part of a project that was co-financed by the municipality of Gjilan, the Health Ministry, and the Caritas organisation.

Nexhat Hajrullahu, municipal health director, says they also expect the Health Ministry to evolve in resolving the problem in terms of budgeting. According to him, the procedure for engagement of health workers will also change, since this will go through procurement procedures because it is considered service purchase. He says the municipality owes the health workers two salaries which obligations will be repaid.

The reason to cut contracts is the lack of municipal budget and we've had a hard time securing a budget for the whole year. At the moment it has been interrupted until the next deal because with the new law it has also changed the form of the agreement and must be announced and companies and other associations can compete. So far it's been forms of understanding agreement but from now on it has to become the next form of the deal and at the moment we can't keep up with this form. But we hope that the Ministry of Health will also carry out its share because there will be a meeting with other municipalities that have similar problems”, Hajrullahu said, Koha Ditore reports.

He says they will face problems in providing services to citizens in certain categories.

There will be problems and problems because these health workers have provided services such as family visits and other services and as a project has been good but we have had budget constraints. Yes, the contract has been signed by three partners and seized 270 thousand euros, with much of the funding being owned by municipalities. These have been working on the deadline, and the project has continued according to budgetary potential”, he said.

While the Democratic Party of Kosovo, the branch in Gjilan with a communiqué sent to the media, has expressed their concern over not continuing contracts for 60 workers. They say the number of displaced workers is the result of mismanagement.

The removal of these workers and the debt to them for three salaries are the next Haziri government absurdity in Gjilan. We have in mind his public statements in this case that this number is necessary for normal primary health function. How to cover services and risk citizens from lack of health services. This action by the mayor gives us insight into the lack of professionalism, seriousness and readiness for gender health. So, The PDK expresses regret and objects to the way health workers have been fired who have served for years”, the PDK's response said.