Authorities again promise new Vinča health center; citizens hope for 'third time lucky'

Authorities in Serbia have once again pledged to build a new health center in Vinča, with the latest promise from Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar indicating that construction will begin by September. This announcement comes after years of delays and unmet expectations for the facility, which has become a pressing need for local residents.

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We have the Vinča Health Center which is in a catastrophic state... When will we solve this? You nicely say we need to help each other. Let's help us, so these people vote, so we get votes, we have to work.

For over a year, the health station in Vinča has been closed to patients. Its closure, attributed to an expired operating permit and safety concerns, has forced residents from four local communities, Vinča, Leštane, Boleč, and Ritopek, to seek medical care in Kaluđerica. However, the Kaluđerica health station is reportedly already overwhelmed, struggling to accommodate its existing patient load, let alone the influx from Vinča.

This is not the first time a new health center has been promised. Initial announcements were made in 2019, with plans for construction to begin by the end of that year. However, the project stalled due to issues with the initial design and subsequent bureaucratic hurdles. The abandoned Vinča health station now stands empty, containing old equipment and patient records, while the surrounding area faces issues with illegal dumping.

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Here, let me make you happy finally, let me say... The Health Center starts being built at the latest in September and will be finished very quickly.

The repeated promises and lack of progress have fostered significant skepticism among the local population. During a recent visit by Minister Lončar to Umčare, an activist voiced the community's frustration, directly questioning when the Vinča health center would be addressed. Lončar's response, promising a September start for construction, was met with a hopeful but cautious "God willing" from the activist.

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How am I supposed to get treatment... I go to Kaluđerica on crutches for therapy with the doctor... you need one bus, another bus... and this lies here empty.