A pilot project for electronic sick leave has been launched in four health centers in Belgrade, easing the workload for doctors and patients. The system allows doctors to send sick leave certificates electronically, which patients receive via the eZdravlje portal. Employers will soon be integrated into the system, reducing the need for paper certificates. Following success in Belgrade, the system will expand to southern Serbia, where there have been complaints about frequent sick leave usage. The system tracks sick leave history and automatically refers patients to medical commissions if sick leave is extended or repeated with the same diagnosis. This digital approach reduces administrative burden and increases control over sick leave.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets emphasize the benefits of digitalization in healthcare, highlighting how the e-sick leave system reduces bureaucracy for doctors and patients, improves healthcare efficiency, and supports workers’ rights by ensuring proper medical oversight. They may also focus on the system’s potential to reduce abuse of sick leave through better monitoring.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the e-sick leave implementation, focusing on the practical improvements in healthcare administration and the planned expansion of the system. They present balanced views on the benefits for both healthcare providers and employers, noting the system’s role in modernizing healthcare services.
Right: Right-leaning media might emphasize the system’s role in combating abuse of sick leave, particularly in regions where employers complained about frequent and possibly unjustified sick leaves. They may highlight the system’s ability to monitor and control sick leave usage, supporting employer interests and economic productivity.
