State of the art in Serbia Health Resort Medicine

Abstract

Serbia has 300 healing water wells, with 1500 L/sec, but only 3-5% are exploited. There are 24 active rehabilitation centers in Serbian health resorts, where balneoclimatological treatment is exercised. Each of those health resorts is known for the treatment of certain conditions. Patients with orthopaedic, neurological, rheumatological, dermatological, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal, metabolic problems are mainly treated, as well as children. Balneoclimatology is studied at Medical School in Belgrade, as one-year subspecialization at the Cathedra for Balneoclimatology. Nevertheless, there is a lack of scientific studies that would confirm or disaffirm experience of physicians in the application of balneotherapy. We have made a significant number of scientific research and made several discoveries regarding the positive effects of treatment that utilizes peloid and sulphuric water, which jointly confirmed that balneotherapy aides in a wide range of disorders. Serbia has a long balneological tradition, but it needs educated specialists in balneoclimatology who will, with the help from International Society of Medical Hydrology and Climatology (ISMH) experts, confirm the healing properties of natural factors, and persuade relevant institutions in the State that balneoclimatology has a significant place in the treatment of patients and that it should be applied as much as possible, primarily because it is a form of natural treatment, and has no significant side effects.