Novi Sad emergency service audit raises staffing concerns; director disputes findings

Serbia’s State Audit Institution (DRI) examined emergency medical services in 2025 and highlighted unequal access and equipment shortages. In Novi Sad, auditors questioned the practice of assigning crews from regular schedules to paid medical coverage at public events.

Novi Sad emergency service audit raises staffing concerns; director disputes findings

The report, detailed by local outlet 021.rs, found the Novi Sad institute earned over 5.6 million dinars from event coverage and training. Auditors said that during one day of the Exit festival, eight emergency teams were available rather than the nine planned. These are audit findings, not a judicial determination of wrongdoing.

What residents should know

Institute director Bogdan Živanović challenged parts of the assessment. He said extra teams are normally assembled for Exit and that the specific shortfall was also linked to illness of a doctor who had been assigned as replacement. Follow-up reporting should track corrective measures and the number of crews serving residents.

Source: 021.rs, 10 November 2026.