UNMIK/PR/623          
PRESS RELEASE - 9 August  2001

Pristina University Hospital Announces Major Reforms

PRISTINA - Dr. Pleurat Sejdiu, Co-Head of the Department of Health and Social Welfare (DHSW) and acting Chief Executive of the Pristina University Hospital today announced the complete overhaul of the PUH's operations and management.

Dr. Sejdiu was appointed temporary Chief Executive of the Pristina University Hospital on July 7th, following reported cases of corruption and mismanagement at the Hospital. Sedjiu promised to put in place a new management structure at the PUH within 30 days. In this regard, the following changes have been made at the Pristina University Hospital.

A new Executive Management Board is in place with clear terms of reference to:
· Ensure effective and efficient management of the PUH
· Ensure that all staff abide by the new "Standards of Conduct Policy"
· Develop high quality, appropriate clinical services in line with the DHSW's Kosovo Health Strategy

The Executive Management Board will be directed by Dr. Safet Beqiri who has been appointed Chief Executive, and by Dr. Salih Ahmeti who was appointed Medical Director. They will take up their positions August 13th. Other key positions such as Director of Operations and Director of Nursing are currently being rigorously recruited for. Dr. Beqiri, will also be in charge of appointing new Clinic Directors as well as a new Director for the Ferizaj Hospital.

The new Executive Management Board, which will collaborate closely with DHSW, will also take steps to: strengthen financial management; stop fraud and corruption; improve the quality of patient care; upgrade the delivery of clinical services; repair the water and sanitation works; streamline patient information; gather information about health needs of the population and improve the delivery of clinical support services. All of the progress will be monitored on an ongoing basis by the DHSW.

"By the second week of our action plan for reforms, everybody was on board and ready to work together," said Sejdiu. "We have established a better management system between the Department of Health and Social Welfare and the Hospital. Clear controls are now in place regarding water and sewage, patient information, clinical information, financial systems, quality control and the eradication of corruption. Everyone is on guard and we will not allow a return to old practices."

Sejdiu says the new team at the Hospital convinced many donors who had left, to come back. In this regard, British DFID has given 6.4 million DM to overhaul the Hospital's water and sanitation works, the European Agency for Reconstruction will replace several X-ray machines and refurbish six operating rooms and the Swedish aid Agency SIDA will make funds available to the hospital this year.