Social protection system on the margins and recurring tragedies – this is the situation to which one of the most vulnerable categories of Bosnia and Herzegovina is left. society. Despite all this, the Federation has not yet established a social protection inspectorate, which would carry out continuous supervision in homes for the elderly, infirm and disabled.
The relevant federal ministry admits – social protection is devastated, put on the sidelines, no one takes it seriously.
Minimum standards for institutions that care for the most vulnerable categories in the Federation have not been established. An inspectorate that would supervise and point out irregularities is one of the most important steps towards preventing tragedies, but also the inhumane conditions in which residents live.
On the way to saving the social protection system, the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Policy two years ago initiated the procedure to amend the Law on Inspections. The article of the law that would enable the establishment of an inspectorate for social and child protection has been stagnant for two years.
“I call on my colleague, the Minister of Justice, to initiate the procedure of amending the Law on Inspections as soon as possible in order to establish a social protection inspectorate,” said Adnan Delić, Minister of Labor and Social Policy of the FBiH (NiP), writes FTV.
Without the inspectorate, there is no control and no accountability. As a result, we have been waiting for changes to the law for two years. During that time, two accidents in the Federation. One with tragic consequences in Tuzla, the other, fortunately, without victims – in the Zenica-Doboj canton because the system reacted in time.
“If there is no fire fighting system, the human factor cannot do much. With a fire alarm system, quick reaction and trained personnel, it has been shown that it is necessary to have quality equipment”, said Damir Jukić, director of the JU Pensionerski dom with ZDK stationary.
The responsibilities are known to everyone, as well as the recommendations that people staying in homes for the elderly, infirm and disabled should be stationed on floors closer to the ground floor. Such an example is the Gerontological Center in Sarajevo.
“Every tragedy causes us to try to be even better and stronger, especially those of us who work with people. We have a special focus,” said Sanela Đešević, a social worker at the Gerontological Center Sarajevo.
And it can be better when security and daily discipline really become the moral duty of all of us. The constant education of the staff with the support of the authorities must not be missing either.
“We all try to meet at least the minimum standards, that should not be questioned at all. Safety is such that it is not a matter of our decision, but must be under obligation”, underlined Ines Alagić, director of the Home for the elderly and infirm Villa Adriana Bihać.
The bottom line is that the system must address social protection. The absence of legal regulations and a fragmented system almost always put responsibility on the back burner.
