“If parents of ill children are satisfied, then I am also satisfied.”
Saša Pavlić, a man who walked carrying a cross for almost 200 kilometres from Rijeka to Zagreb in order to send a message to the government that it is not acceptable to spend public funds on buying used military aircraft, while there is not enough money for ill children, arrived in front of the government building in Zagreb at 11 am on Thursday, reports N1 on April 5, 2018.
Pavlić was allowed to enter the building, where he met with Prime Minister Andrej Plenković. In addition to Pavlić, the meeting included parents of ill children and the ombudswoman for disabled persons.
After the meeting, Pavlić commented on the discussion. “I did my job, I have sent a message, and my media episode is now over. I will return to my family. For all the details about the meeting, you should ask the parents. If they are satisfied, then I am satisfied as well. Thank you all for helping us raise awareness about what is important in this country,” said Pavlić.
Marina Rogošić, the mother of a child with spinal muscular atrophy, said that both the prime minister and Health Minister Milan Kujundžić were present at the meeting. “We were looking for answers as to why these children have been written off. We have demanded the establishment of an innovative therapy fund that would be financed from the state budget. I told the prime minister that the problem could be solved with good will. Saša suggested the establishment of a working group which would include parents and experts, and Minister Kujundžić said that he would convene the group next week. The fact that we are going to discuss this at all is a major step forward,” Rogošić said. “I am cautious. We will keep coming here as long as it is needed,” Rogošić concluded.
Pavlić started his symbolic walk from Rijeka to Zagreb several days ago in order to draw attention to government’s spending priorities. “The final straw was when I opened a daily newspaper and saw that on one page there was an article about how the state had no money for medicines for children and would instead send them to clinical trials, while some children would not get any help. On the other page, there was an article about three billion kuna which will be paid by the state for used military aircraft. That has forced me to do what I have been doing,” said Pavlić several days ago.
Translated from N1.
