Serbian villagers forced to use tractors for medical emergencies due to lack of roads

Residents of Trijebine, a village in the Pešter region near Sjenica, Serbia, are facing dire consequences due to the complete lack of passable roads, severely hindering access to essential services, including emergency medical care. During the summer months, when villagers stay in the area for cattle grazing, the absence of proper roads poses a significant risk.

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Unfortunately, my father had a stroke. And that morning, no ambulance could reach us. You can see what the road is like.

Enis Džigal recounted a harrowing experience where his father suffered a stroke. "Unfortunately, my father had a stroke. And that morning, no ambulance could reach us. You can see what the road is like," he explained. The family was forced to transport him partially by tractor and then by car, a journey that took an agonizingly long time. "A man who had a stroke was transported part of the way by tractor. Which I don't think is normal. And then his uncle transported him the rest of the way by car. That has consequences. If he had arrived earlier, perhaps none of this would have happened," Enis stated, emphasizing the critical delay.

This lack of infrastructure means villagers are largely left to fend for themselves. Even for basic necessities like transporting children and groceries, they must leave their vehicles kilometers away and carry items the rest of the route. The situation also impacts their livelihood, as they struggle to get their products, such as cheese, to market.

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A man who had a stroke was transported part of the way by tractor. Which I don't think is normal. And then his uncle transported him the rest of the way by car. That has consequences. If he had arrived earlier, perhaps none of this would have happened.

While the deputy head of the Sjenica municipality acknowledged the problem after a site visit, he cited a lack of personnel and an overwhelming number of roads needing repair as reasons for inaction. The villagers are requesting basic improvements, such as gravel surfacing, to make the road navigable for vehicles. Despite repeated appeals, the municipal leadership has not provided a concrete plan or timeline for addressing the issue, leaving residents in a precarious situation.

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I cannot get to my house with my car. I leave it two kilometers away with neighbors. And then we carry children and groceries.