Organisation of health care

Health care for citizens in Montenegro is provided at three levels: primary (health care centres), secondary (general and special hospitals) and tertiary (Clinical Centre of Montenegro).

The level of primary health care, which should cover 80-85% of health care needs. The holder of primary health care is the chosen doctor in the outpatient clinic, i.e. the teams of chosen doctors.

Organizationally, a primary health care centre has three basic units: 

- The outpatient clinic of the chosen doctor, i.e. the teams of chosen doctors (chosen paediatrician, chosen doctor for adults and chosen gynaecologist); 

- Support centres for chosen doctors organized at the local and regional level for: lung diseases and TB, diagnostics, mental health, children with special needs, prevention, etc.; 

- Units for: home visiting team, primary level physical therapy and patient transport service.

The level of secondary health care is provided through specialist outpatient clinics and hospital wards, as well as the tertiary level of health care with the development of subspecialist outpatient clinics. 

Primary health care is a priority in the development of the health system, and within it the promotion of healthy lifestyles and preventive health care. Organizationally, the primary health care centre is the institution that is the holder of primary health care through the outpatient clinic of the chosen doctor, i.e. teams of chosen doctors of medicine and centres and units for support of chosen doctors.

Health care at the secondary and tertiary level is provided in general and special hospitals and the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, through outpatient specialist-consultative and consulting team health care, as well as through hospital treatment in wards and through daily treatment of patients (day hospital).