Kosovo police, only in region without health insurance

The Police Union is continuing to fight to ensure health insurance for blue uniforms, saying that without this provision, it will be difficult to build an efficient police system.

Police Union head Imer Zeqiri says security is a vital need, however, even the Law on Police will be met and changed -- virtually no implementation will be possible for the next three or five years.

“We've analyzed all procedures. It was this law, even if it was drafted, it's unlikely to take place three or five years ago,”, he said.

In an effort to push forward the issue of health insurance, the Police Union has talked with the Kosovo Insurance Bureau about the financial cost of health insurance and life for police employees.

Zeqiri says they have received some kind of guidance from the Insurance Bureau for the manner of alternative security.

“For alternative insurance, make a deal with a private insurance company. The demand we have addressed to the ministry and the government is to provide about 5m euros for health insurance for all members of the KB and civil staff”, Zeqiri declares.

In cases of various health problems, police pay their own health costs, while in cases of injuries during office, they are paid by an internal police fund.

MP Ferat Shala says Kosovo Police should have special laws regulating their security.

“We have been delayed and we are still delayed due to the government's negligence and the unwilling to start this process where and in the draft of the year we don't see such a thing that domestic institutions have planned”, Shala considers.

So far at the helm of office, 22 police officials have lost their lives and another 359 have been injured. While currently 259 police officials have serious health problems. / RTK/