The Acting Chief of the Department of Social Activities of the Administrative Department of Banja Luka Radenko Đuric confirmed that in the budget of the city for this year 50.000 KM are planned for the support of a prenatal policy.
‘’We plan to launch a competition soon on the allocation of budget funds for co-financing the cost of one procedure of assisted reproduction and to approve funding for 18 requests, as in 2012’’, said Đuric for Agency SRNA.
He added that due to the low birth rate, support of the city for In vitro fertilization (IVF) is imperative.
Đuric was reminded that 2009 was the first time that 40.000 KM were planned to be set aside to support a prenatal policy.
‘’The administrative services supported then 13 requests for in-IVFin the amount of 36.900 KM out of 71 requests for married couples in the Banja Luka area’’, added Đuric.
He said that in 2010 there was a budget planned for the same amount for support a prenatal policy, which also supported 13 requests for the amount of 36.900 KM.
‘’In 2011 the budget of Banja Luka increased its funds for this purpose by 25 percent in comparison to 2010’’, added Đuric.
According to him, in 2011 and according to the competition on the division of budget funds for co-financing the cost of one procedure of assisted reproduction, the Department of Social Services received a total of 66 applications, and available funds were able to support 17 requests for IVF procedures according to ranking. This amounted to 42.500 KM.
He said that last year the budget of the city planned 50.000 KM, but that the Department of Social Services received a total of 35 requests for co-financing the cost of one IVF.
‘’We have approved funding for 18 requests for IVF procedures amounting to 2.500 KM per request, which totals to 45.000 KM, said Đuric.
He pointed out that, apart from co-financing the cost for one IVF procedure, in 2012 Banja Luka allocated funds to mothers of first-born babies as a way to support the prenatal policy, the manifestation of the ‘’Baby Conference’’ was used to buy presents for the babies.
