Here we go, Montenegro is getting two modern mammographs worth around 50,000 euros, thanks to a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Yes, you read that right — the church, not the state or the healthcare system, is solving a problem that should be a priority for any government. The mammographs will go to the Clinical Center of Montenegro and the General Hospital in Nikšić, with the handover ceremony scheduled for July 2nd at 10 AM. Before that, Dr. Vojislav Šimun and other officials will hold a working meeting and present thank-you certificates to the church representatives.
Is this a sign that the state cannot provide basic medical equipment on its own? Is the church’s donation a lifesaver for thousands of women waiting for mammography screenings? Mammography is key for early detection of breast cancer, a disease that claims thousands of lives every year.
While the authorities boast about the European path and big progress, the reality is they rely on donations for basic equipment. Where are the investments in healthcare? Where are the priorities?
Meanwhile, protests erupt in the region, and anonymous bomb threats halt transportation, but in Montenegro, problems are solved this way — through donations. Can we really believe this is a long-term solution? Or is it just another show for the public?
If you have thoughts on how healthcare in Montenegro is funded and operates, drop a comment below. Is this a sign the state needs to wake up or that it should lean even more on donations? Who knows, maybe next time we’ll get donations for medicines or medical staff salaries! Just don’t forget, health should come first, right?
