Over the past two and a half months, a total of 175 insured individuals have been referred for PET scanning in Montenegro, funded by the Health Insurance Fund.

The Fund clarified to “Vijesti” that 7 euros have been allocated for PET scanner diagnostics in Podgorica starting from May 218.750th.

During the same timeframe, 39 insured patients were referred to Acibadem Hospital in Istanbul for a PET scan, and six others to Memorial Hospital in the same city. Most of these patients began treatment and follow-up monitoring at these institutions in Turkey, which is why they were sent for a PET scan.

Historically, Montenegro was the sole country in the region without a PET scanner, and no public health institution currently possesses this diagnostic tool. In March, the Fund signed a business cooperation agreement with Croatian Medikol Polyclinic, allowing PET/CT diagnostic services to be offered in Podgorica, as well as at alternative centers in Split, Rijeka, and Osijek. This service became available to patients starting May 7 at the private Codra Hospital, which serves as a partner and subcontractor to the Croatian Polyclinic, while all imaging results are reviewed and issued exclusively by the Medikol Polyclinic.

The Fund specified that “Codra Hospital has no role in the contractual arrangement, nor any association with it, as the Medikol Polyclinic operates independently and possesses a Decision from the Ministry of Health.” Moreover, they stated that Medikol is autonomous in referral processes, imaging organization, and service payment.

This medical institution recently informed “Vijesti” that the importance of the contract with the Croatian polyclinic lies in the fact that for the first time, PET/CT diagnostics are available in Montenegro, thereby improving accessibility and efficiency, particularly for oncology patients.

“This development significantly eases travel burdens for patients whose health conditions make leaving Montenegro challenging, while also resulting in substantial savings on travel expenses for patients and their companions, who previously had to travel to clinics in Novi Sad and Istanbul under existing contracts,” they noted.

In the previous year, 413,000 euros were allocated for PET scanning services abroad, a figure that also covers travel expenses for both the insured individuals and their companions.

“From January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, 222 insured persons were referred to Memorial Hospital for PET CT, 19 for PET CT Gallium, and 2 for PET CT Holin, costing the state approximately 260,000 euros. From September 12, 2024, when the contract was established, to December 31, 2024, 118 insured individuals were referred to the Institute of Oncology in Vojvodina, incurring a total expenditure of 153,000 euros,” the Fund’s response outlined.

The timeline for when Montenegro’s largest healthcare facility, the Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG), will operationalize its PET/CT scanner remains uncertain. Initially, the installation and commissioning were anticipated in 2023, though officials later claimed it would occur this year.

In early March, KCCG informed “Vijesti” that the main project is nearing completion of its revision phase.

“The project for the installation and commissioning of PET-CT is being executed in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Montenegro. The funding was partially secured through a donation from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), covering 75% of the total costs, with the Health Insurance Fund of Montenegro (FZO) covering the remaining 25%. The procurement process is being conducted by the IAEA,” KCCG explained last month.

They indicated that while an initial consideration was made to renovate the old building of the Institute of Oncology for the PET scanner installation, this was dismissed in favor of ensuring optimal conditions for the scanner’s effective, efficient, and safe operation.

Consequently, efforts are underway to build the Hematology Clinic on the site of the former Institute of Oncology building, with the main project now in its final revision stages. KCCG reported that the scheduled announcement for the public procurement procedure for the construction works is set for April this year.

Given the timeline for executing these works and the need to maintain uninterrupted healthcare services, KCCG has commenced renovations of the old Medical School building to ensure diagnostic procedures continue until the new Hematology Clinic is operational.

“In terms of staff training, personnel are qualified for diagnostic procedures but will require specific preparation for operating the upcoming scanner, which falls within the standard training protocol for specialized medical equipment,” KCCG emphasized.

In this context, they also mentioned plans for collaborating with a Croatian clinic to ensure timely and uninterrupted medical services for the citizens of Montenegro.

“The financial benefits derived from such a partnership match those realized from sending patients to clinics in Turkey or Serbia, with the critical advantage of allowing patients and their families to avoid international travel, thus simplifying the treatment process,” KCCG stated.

“From January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, 222 insured individuals were referred to Memorial Hospital for PET CT, along with 19 referred for PET CT Gallium and two for PET CT Holin, which cost the state around 260,000 euros. From September 12, 2024, to December 31, 2024, 118 insured individuals were referred to the Institute of Oncology in Vojvodina, with total costs amounting to 153,000 euros,” the Fund clarified in its responses.

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