To become corona-free destination would be a true privilege for Montenegro in the world where pandemic of the SARS- Cov- 2 is looming. Montenegro’s position is very favorable as it is counting days to acquire this status, in circumstances in which other countries are recording increase in the number of infections, Dr Vesna Miranović, head of the Operational unit for the implementation of measures for the prevention of the spread of COVID-19, has said.
Dr Miranović reminds that the corona-free destination possibility is not the only news thanks to which Montenegro has attracted attention.
“Montenegro is the last country in Europe where the coronaviurs broke out. It is also special because it is the only country where no case of the virus has been recorded in nursing homes. It would be great if we could add to this list of achievements the fact that it is the first corona-free destination in Europe”, Dr Miranović says.
VN: How close are we to that optimistic announcement that we are corona-free destination?
Dr Miranović: That depends on many factors: the moment two active cases will be negative, this sudden positive case, the chances of control over the contacts he had, possible new cases. Everything is at our fingertips, very close, but the reason why we must keep what we have achieved and wait for the status of corona-free destination is the fact that there’s always risk of unforeseen circumstances.
VN: Keeping physical distance and ban on public gatherings still apply across the world. However, these measures are often violated, like for example in Nikšić and other Montenegrin towns…
Dr Miranović: Any such violation of measures creates condition for the return of the epidemic which would provoke far-reaching consequences. The fact that there haven’t been new cases reported for a while doesn’t mean that the virus disappeared. If that was the case, we could have declared the end to the epidemic the first day number of infections was zero. A diagram showing exponential growth in the number of infections after the measures are lifted was presented in the teleconference of CEI initiative, which was held two days ago. It is clear that only gradual easing of measures can bring the epidemic in Montenegro to an end. So, we should not be nervous now, we must be patient. My conscience would bother me If I suggested people to behave irresponsibly.
VN: Exceptional results Montenegro has achieved made part of citizens think that COVID-19 is not that dangerous. Opposition politicians and priests of the Serbian Orthodox Church have contributed to that, trying to present measures as part of conspiracy theory against orthodoxy.
Dr Miranović: Trust in healthcare system and other institutions of the system is the greatest value we have built over the past two-three months. A very powerful and direct connection between citizens and healthcare workers has been established. Every decision was carefully considered, analyzed and had medical basis, founded on scarce evidence, comparative experience and original solutions. Representatives of the profession have found way to citizens’ awareness and imposed themselves as absolute authority who had only one objective: protection of human health and human lives. That provoked one part of politicians, but misconception and superstition will remain in the shadow of strong and honest messages of the profession.
VN: You yourself have been target of discrediting attempts when you attended the Parliament session and discusses the pandemic and the measures taken by the Government…
Dr Miranović: Over the past two months, we have written one of the most important chapters in the history of Montenegrin healthcare system. We can compare that to some great battle in Montenegrin history, battle in which much stronger and more powerful enemy was defeated. And I don’t think we are fully aware of that yet. It takes some time, adrenaline must do its work.
In that context I see attacks and I don’t regard them as discrediting attempts.
VN: While epicenter of the virus was in nursing homes almost everywhere in the world, Montenegro has managed to protest the most vulnerable members of the population…
Dr Miranović: We must commend employees in these institutions because they opted for the model of the own-initiative self-isolation in nursing homes and in Komanski most. Nobody in Europe has shown that level of sacrifice! The recipe for success is good coordination of the management and staff in those institutions, with support of ministries, Property Administration, Armed Forces of Montenegro.
VN: Quibbling over the WHO capacities during the pandemic has opened dilemmas in respect of the credibility of information from this address. How dangerous is that when world is counting dozens of thousands of deaths, millions of infected people and with minimum information on the virus itself?
Dr Miranović: Uncertainty is one of the global realities when it comes to this virus. Views change on daily basis. This is the unique opportunity when we are all learning together. WHO is our natural partner in fighting these agents and we must show trust in its estimates and patience for doubts and unknowns. There are things that can’t be faster or better in these circumstances.
VN: I What is the priority of the Operational unit now? Will Montenegro be prepared if another wave of the virus appears in fall or winter?
Dr Miranović: Priority of the Operational unit is keeping are all the activities under control as the possibility for the importation of the virus in Montenegro is the only threat. Of course, self-isolation of the entire country is for long. We are looking for creative solutions to establish balance between health protection and economic recovery. We hope that the region countries will take over control over the virus. Montenegro will welcome the fall fully prepared in every sense.
Working day during the pandemic
VN: What was your working day like during the pandemic?
Dr Miranović: To be the head of the Operational unit was a very responsible duty that implies coordination of a set of various activities without specific deadlines.
The day starts with Colonel Aleksandar Pantović’s referral on the number of people in quarantines, occupied and free accommodation units. Then comes positive report on the condition of the people in quarantines. Every morning by 9, I have detailed report on the health condition of users of services of healthcare centers and Komanski most and employees in these institutions. Border police and health and sanitary inspection have the first and direct contact with organized arrivals.
VN: What happens when these people arrive in quarantine?
Dr Miranović: Healthcare centers take over the care of their health and sanitary inspection and Police Department make sure they adhere to measures. Property Administration ensures that quarantines are clear and disinfected. Director of the Administration has so far provided around 100.000 meals for persons in quarantines. I would like to mention “Hemosan” and “Ekomedika” companies. Contribution of the vice-president of the municipality of Podgorica, Ms Slađana Vujačić, to the coordination of functioning of local self-governments in the implementation of public utility activities is of paramount importance for uniform actions during the epidemic.
This is just a very short description of our daily activities.
Government’s response was timely
VN: What had to be done for the protection of citizens’ health?
Dr Miranović: The problem this pandemic provoked was a big jump for every healthcare system and it surpasses capacities of the Ministry of Health. Government reacted timely and made all its institutions available. National Coordination body, as key advisory body, built a complex system of responsibilities and competences which was functional. Great number of operational units was formed which coordinated actions of tens of thousands of people, enabling simultaneous functioning of healthcare system and other factors.
