Serbia medical waiting lists remain high with nearly 30,000 patients

Data from the Republic Health Insurance Fund (RFZO) shows that 29,395 patients remain on medical waiting lists in Serbia as of September 10. The largest groups are those awaiting knee surgeries (12,625) and hip replacements (7,066). While health officials and President Aleksandar Vučić previously emphasized resolving these queues, recent public discourse from health authorities has shifted away from the topic.

Medical professionals suggest that waiting times for specialists are exacerbated by patients self-diagnosing and requesting specialist appointments without referrals from general practitioners. Dr. Aleksandra Pantović noted that while access to general practitioners is high, patients often bypass primary care for specialists—such as cardiologists—for issues that could be managed by their regular doctors, thereby increasing congestion in specialized departments.

In contrast to the national trend, the University Clinical Center in Niš reported successfully eliminating its waiting lists for certain procedures, including bypass surgeries and joint replacements, under its new leadership.