Beginning next week, patients in Podgorica will be able to receive PET scanner examinations at the private hospital “Kodra,” funded by the Health Insurance Fund.

This information was confirmed by the Croatian private clinic “Medikol,” which entered into a business cooperation agreement with the Health Insurance Fund (FZO) earlier this March, enabling PET/CT diagnostic services both in Podgorica and other centers in Croatia. Imaging for patients in Montenegro is set to commence on May 7, Wednesday.

Ivanka Trstenjak Rajković, the director of “Medikol,” informed “Vijesti” that this private healthcare provider acts as the official service provider for both the Fund and patients, while the actual imaging services will be conducted at “Kodra.”

“The operational aspects related to PET/CT imaging in Podgorica will be conducted on a PET/CT device located at ‘Codra Hospital,’ in collaboration with ‘Kodra’ as a subcontractor and partner of ‘Medikol.’ The imaging results will be exclusively processed and interpreted by ‘Medikol,’ which will issue the findings,” stated the response.

The Health Insurance Fund previously told “Vijesti” that the director, Vuk Kadić, signed a Business Cooperation Agreement with Trstenjak Rajković, allowing for PET/CT diagnostics to be available in Podgorica as well as in alternative centers in Split, Rijeka, and Osijek.

“This agreement marks the first implementation of PET/CT diagnostics in Montenegro and will enhance accessibility and efficiency for oncology patients. It alleviates the burden for those whose health conditions make travel outside Montenegro difficult, while also saving considerable funds previously used for travel to clinics in Novi Sad and Istanbul,” the HIF stated.

Currently, the majority of insured individuals from Montenegro continue to travel to Turkey at the Health Insurance Fund’s expense, predominantly for PET/CT diagnostics, as reported by “Vijesti” recently.

Oncology patients are often sent for this diagnostic procedure, with hundreds referred each year. Montenegro remains the only country in the region without a PET scanner, unlike Serbia, Republika Srpska, Macedonia, and Albania.

The Clinical Center of Montenegro (KCCG) communicated to “Vijesti” in early March that the main project for the installation of a PET/CT scanner is in its final review stage. In early 2021, they announced the possibility of obtaining a PET scanner, the gold standard for tumor diagnosis, by the end of 2023, planning the project in two or three phases due to its complexity and the need for appropriate space accommodations.

“The installation and commissioning of the PET-CT project is being undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Montenegro. Funding for the PET-CT procurement has partially been secured through a donation from the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency), covering 75% of the total costs, with the remaining 25% funded by the Montenegrin Health Insurance Fund (FZO). The IAEA is managing the procurement process,” KCCG informed “Vijesti” last month.

They noted that the idea of reconstructing the old building of the Institute of Oncology for the PET scanner was initially proposed but later abandoned to ensure optimal conditions for the scanner’s effective and secure operation.

“Consequently, plans have been made to build the Hematology Clinic in place of the old Institute building, leading to the current development of the main project now in its final revision phase. The deadline for initiating the public procurement process for the construction is set for April of this year,” KCCG stated.

They also mentioned that, considering the timeline for the project and the necessity for continuous healthcare services, measures are being taken to adapt the old Medical School building to ensure the ongoing provision of diagnostic procedures until the new Hematology Clinic opens.

“Regarding medical staff training, they are equipped to perform diagnostic procedures, with specific preparations required to operate the future scanner as part of their standard training regimen with specialized medical equipment,” KCCG emphasized.

Additionally, “the context of this initiative includes the vision to establish collaboration with a clinic from Croatia to ensure timely and uninterrupted medical services for the citizens of Montenegro.”

“The financial implications of this partnership mirror those from sending patients to clinics in Turkey or Serbia, with the noteworthy advantage that the new local collaboration spares patients and their families from international travel, thus simplifying the treatment process,” KCCG added.

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