Ljubljana - The council of UKC Ljubljana appointed on Monday traumatologist Marko Jug as acting director general of the hospital. Jug is one of the council members representing UKC Ljubljana staff. A call for applications for a full-fledged director general will be published on 20 September, but Jug does not intend to apply for the job.

Appointed for two months, Jug sees himself as an interim solution allowing the council to find a new director.

His predecessor Jože Golobič resigned last Wednesday following an appeal by Health Minister Danijel Bešič Loredan, with his term formally terminating today.

Jug has worked at UKC Ljubljana for 20 years, is an assistant professor at the Medical Faculty in Ljubljana and also chair of the assembly of the Medical Chamber.

The fact the council temporarily entrusted leading the country's largest hospital to one of the hospital's employees shows, according to Jug, that the time has come to pay more attention to providing health rather than just focussing on the hospital's financial situation.

He intends to get down to business right away, most notably to address issues at the emergency unit following reorganisation and the hospital's ongoing renovation. He wants the renovation to be carried out safely for patients and staff "even if this means a bit more funds".

Jug, who said he is not a member of any political party, declined to assess Golobič's performance, but said it would be inappropriate to blame the situation at the hospital on one person.

The council's head Irma Gubanec said Jug was endorsed unanimously, adding that "he has an incredible character and potential" and that the council is willing to help him run the hospital.

When calling on Golobič to step down, Minister Bešič Loredan said the hospital's management had not cut wait times, had missed several deadlines and business results were poor.

Golobič, who became acting director general in February 2021 and received a full four-year term last December, labelled the appeal as being politically motivated and was initially unwilling to step down.

The minister welcomed his resignation last week, but did not wish to speculate who would replace him, yet wished for the council to appoint the best candidate.