Healthcare in Serbia

Meanwhile, an experiment with self-governing communities of interest in the health sector further decreased the efficiency and quality of services.

[1] With the violent disintegration of the former Yugoslavia in 1991, the already weakened and structurally distorted economy of the Republic of Serbia entered an acute phase of the crisis, with drastic consequences to the health care system and to other social sectors.

Due to dwindling real resources, as well as to an inefficient, over-extended and poorly managed public health sector, health care has been facing huge problems: frequent shortage of basic drugs and medical supplies, inadequate nutrition of patients, obsolete and broken medical equipment, and lack of basic materials, a deteriorating infrastructure and demoralized staff.

Gifts worth more than 5% of the average monthly net salary in Serbia to health professionals are outlawed.

[6] The healthcare system is managed by the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF), which covers all citizens and permanent residents.

Contributions are based on a sliding scale, with wealthier members of society paying higher percentages of their income.

Care is usually sought from healthcare professionals such as doctors or nurses where bribes are commonly expected, but some folk medications are used such as teas, vinegar, herbs, and vitamins.

[12] Most former Yugoslavians feel health is not the absence of disease, but rather it is "wealth and the most important thing in life" and "to have enough strength".