During MP Živković’s remarks about the number of doctors who had left the public healthcare system, MP Laković interjected: “Because they can no longer steal.” To say that it is concerning when a member of parliament publicly makes such a serious and sweeping accusation against Montenegrin doctors — people who care for the health and lives of Montenegro’s citizens every day — is an understatement. It is particularly troubling that such characterisations come from a public officeholder, whose duty is to foster a culture of dialogue, not to make collective accusations without evidence that undermine public trust in the healthcare system. If there is information about any unlawful conduct, the competent institutions are the proper place to establish the facts. That would be a meaningful contribution by MP Laković as a representative in the Parliament of Montenegro, rather than an interjection inappropriate in any civil exchange, let alone from a parliamentary seat.

The MP’s subsequent apology sounds even worse:

“I offer my sincere apologies to all healthcare workers who honour the oath they took with integrity and responsibility. However, I do not apologise to those who have abused their oath and position.

Let me remind citizens that there have been cases in which individual doctors waited until the final days of patients’ lives before referring them for treatment abroad, while obtaining personal gain through corruption, bribes or commissions.

Let me remind citizens that many people attended examinations at public healthcare institutions only to be referred to private clinics. Let me remind citizens that some individuals acquired valuable property on the incomes they had at the time, legitimately raising questions about how this was possible.

They certainly were not selling 100 grams of coffee and boxes of chocolates. Let me remind citizens that some doctors have been known to ‘stab their colleagues in the back’, putting personal interests and fees ahead of professionalism and collegiality.

Finally, I apologise to all healthcare workers who, despite the many problems in the healthcare system, have remained true to their oath, professional ethics and dedication to patients. It is thanks to them that citizens still have confidence in the medical profession.”

MP Laković, you have compelled me to tell you that what you wrote is utterly shameful. What you presented as an apology is no apology at all: every doctor is honourable unless the competent institutions establish otherwise. With the approval of the Director of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, I invite you to visit its Emergency Department and other units and spend 24 hours there, continuously, awake and without rest, simply observing what the healthcare workers you write about in this way actually do. Afterwards, I invite you to visit a private healthcare institution and compare the workload and earnings. You will then understand why doctors move from the public to the private sector.