Dr. Djokic: Mladic is in very serious condition, he cannot receive adequate medical care in prison

Photo: Profimedia/Peter Dejong/AFP

Gorica Djokic, a neurologist and member of a team of Serbian doctors who visited and examined General Ratko Mladic the International Residual Mechanism for the Criminal Tribunal prison in The Hague, stated today that his health is very poor due to neurological complications and pointed out that Mladic cannot receive adequate medical care in the detention unit.

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"I have been following General Mladic's condition for years and this is a very delicate moment now, when there has been a sudden, drastic deterioration of his health, primarily in the form of neurological complications. His ability to speak has decreased, there is almost a complete loss, but there are also metabolic complications, affecting his kidneys, heart," Dr. Djokic told RTS.

She pointed out that the general's health is now so delicate that no matter how hard the doctors at the detention unit try, that is not a sufficient level of care to provide to a person suffering from this type of condition.

The doctor said that as a professional, she is most concerned not only about the consequences of the stroke, but also about the risk of deterioration of the overall health of Ratko Mladic.

"We suspect that he had another stroke, because there was a sudden onset of very delicate complications, and his overall condition is very serious," Djokic stated.

She pointed out that Mladic, as a patient with his health compromised to this degree, requires around the clock supervision and serious medical care.

Djokic also stated that during her recent visit to The Hague, along with the team of Serbian doctors who examined General Mladic, she spoke with the doctors in The Hague, and understood that even they perceive his condition as very serious.

She added that if General Mladic were to continue to receive inadequate treatment, additional metabolic deterioration could occur and that this would pose a great danger to his life.

Djokic said that the request to release Mladic in order for him to receive medical treatment in Serbia has been made solely for healthcare reasons, and added she hopes that the decision will be made as swiftly as the situation requires.

On April 10, Mladic suffered a stroke and his health deteriorated further due to serious neurological, cardiovascular and nephrological issues.

On Sunday, he was sent back to the detention hospital of the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Courts in The Hague after being examined at a civilian hospital for another suspected stroke.

Since 2024, Mladic has been kept in the prison hospital in The Hague, where he is receiving palliative care.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)