More than a year after Tešanj General Hospital received a valuable digital mammogram, procured with the support of the Government of Zenica-Doboj Canton and partners from Italy, there is still a dilemma among citizens – why the machine is not fully functional and when regular breast screening will be possible.
A number of women from the Tešnja area contacted the editorial office, expressing concern and asking for verified information. On this occasion, we sent an inquiry to Tešanj General Hospital.
This health institution explains that the mammogram is technically put into operation, but that screening mammography has not yet started, because the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica (INZ) is responsible for its implementation.
– The mammogram has been put into operation, but the mammogram screening is under the jurisdiction of the Institute for Health and Food Safety in Zenica, and so far several tenders have been announced by the Institute, which have not yet been completed. Until the mentioned tenders are implemented, it will not be possible to carry out screening – it is stated in the hospital’s response.
They add that the entire Zenica-Doboj canton is covered by the same screening system, which has not yet been fully implemented, so no public health institution in ZDK can currently carry out mammography screening.
Until then, breast examination can be done on an economic basis or in private institutions.
– Indicated breast examinations for suspected pathology are taking place without interruption – it was pointed out from Tešanj General Hospital.
As a reminder, the digital mammogram worth more than 270,000 KM was supposed to significantly improve the prevention and early detection of breast cancer in the Tešanj region. Although the device is ready for use, women will still have to wait a little longer for the system screening to begin.
