At the end of 2022, the National Network for Children and the “Bridges Community” association, supported by doctors, parents, and representatives of 24 civil organizations, sent a letter to the President, parliamentary groups, and health authorities, once again demanding urgent actions to ensure access to medical nutrition for all patients in need. Currently, children and adults with various illnesses and disabilities struggle daily for their physical survival and are forced to rely on charitable funds to obtain their vital medical nutrition.
In May 2023, the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) responded to “Medical News” with a blanket statement (due to the lack of any specific commitments and deadlines) stating that analyses are still being conducted, and the necessary financial resources would be allocated in the “next budget.” This continued delay from NHIF, given the immense social significance of the case, the available specific administrative steps for its prompt resolution, and the monthly meetings of the Council, is unjustified. NHIF only reimburses home-use medical foods for a few conditions. However, due to the economic barrier preventing access to medical nutrition, cases of children and young people dying from malnutrition continue.
A few days ago, the National Network for Children, through its Legal Aid Network, sent a letter to the Supervisory Board of NHIF, with copies to the Minister of Health and the Minister of Finance, insisting that at its next regular monthly meeting, the Council should review and adopt a plan with clear and concise deadlines to ensure reimbursement of medical nutrition for all those in need.
In the event that the Supervisory Board continues to exclude the issue of medical nutrition reimbursement from its agenda, the Legal Aid Network of the National Network for Children will initiate a series of legal proceedings, including providing procedural assistance to those affected by NHIF’s inaction before the Commission for Protection against Discrimination and cases under Article 1 of the Law on State and Municipal Liability for Damages.
You can find the full text of the National Network for Children’s statement to NHIF HERE.
Photo: Archive footage, Nova TV.
