Borovinić Bojović: No child should ever feel alone, and no healthcare worker forgotten

Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Health and Social Welfare Dr Jelena Borovinić Bojović visited the Mladost Children’s Home in Bijela, where she met with Acting Director Marela Savić and staff to discuss the conditions in which children reside, their needs, and the support that should be provided to them throughout their development.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss the children’s everyday lives, education, emotional development and interests, as well as the importance of creating an environment in which they feel safe, accepted and supported.

Acting Director of the Mladost Children’s Home Marela Savić highlighted the institution’s needs and the importance of continuous support in ensuring the best possible conditions for the children’s development, upbringing and everyday life.

During the visit, Borovinić Bojović presented the Mladost Children’s Home with a painting depicting an angel, as a symbol of protection, kindness and hope. The gift was intended as a gesture of care and attention towards children who deserve to grow up with a sense of security and support, and to know that their future is not solely their concern, but a responsibility shared by society as a whole.

Every child deserves to grow up feeling that they matter, that they are loved and that they are safe. We must stand by children who have not had the opportunity to grow up in a family environment. It is our responsibility to provide them with equal opportunities, enable them to develop their talents and knowledge, and encourage them to believe in themselves, Borovinić Bojović said.

She thanked the staff of the Mladost Children’s Home for their dedication and daily care for the children, stressing that their work goes far beyond a professional obligation and requires patience, understanding, expertise and, above all, humanity.

No system can replace a family, but the system must do everything within its power to ensure that a child feels safe and content. That is why caring for children must be a shared responsibility of us all, the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Following her visit to Bijela, Borovinić Bojović visited the Vaso Ćuković Special Hospital for Orthopaedics, Neurosurgery and Neurology in Risan, where she met with Director Dr Dino Pagnacco and the institution’s management.

The discussion focused in particular on the hospital’s employees, their daily work, the challenges they face and the conditions in which they provide healthcare to patients. The meeting addressed the work of doctors, nurses, technicians and non-medical staff.

The healthcare system is, first and foremost, made up of people. Behind every examination, treatment, care and support provided to a patient is someone who performs their job responsibly every day, often under demanding circumstances. That is why we must listen to our employees, understand their needs and work together to provide them with better working conditions, Borovinić Bojović said.

Hospital Director Dr Dino Pagnacco highlighted the shortage of certain categories of staff as one of the key challenges, particularly given the need to create conditions for attracting and retaining healthcare professionals through housing support and other forms of assistance.

The meeting also addressed the institution’s needs, work organisation, staffing capacities and opportunities for further improving the quality of healthcare services.

Direct dialogue with employees and service users is an important part of the Government of Montenegro’s approach, as people working on the ground are best placed to identify the needs, challenges and opportunities for improving the functioning of institutions.

As Borovinić Bojović stated, the Government will continue to support healthcare, social welfare and child protection institutions, their employees and service users, through continuous dialogue and joint efforts to identify and implement solutions.

The strength of a society is reflected in how much it cares for those who need support the most. It is our responsibility to stand by them, not only when times are difficult, but every day, Borovinić Bojović concluded.