Patients evacuated from Belgrade pediatric neurology and psychiatry clinic following safety assessment

The Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia has addressed the evacuation of patients from the Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth in Belgrade. The decision to evacuate the facility was made by the Director of the Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, Jelena Đorđević, during the late afternoon of November 13, 2026. This decision was based on the personal assessment of Jelena Đorđević regarding the safety of the facility.

Emergency measures and patient care

To ensure patient protection and the continuation of medical treatment, the Ministry of Health ordered emergency measures on November 13, 2026. These measures aim to transfer patients to another adequate health institution. The Ministry of Health stated that medical care for the patients continues to be provided by the professional staff of the Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth.

The Ministry of Health has also ordered an official assessment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding the accommodation of particularly security-sensitive patients. This assessment requires an immediate inspection of the designated space and a signed, certified record. The Ministry of Health stated that it is continuing cooperation with all competent institutions to ensure patient safety and uninterrupted treatment.

Facility safety and background

Regarding the state of the building, the Ministry of Health stated it had no insight into the findings of privately engaged experts. According to the Ministry, the competent construction inspection has not performed supervision or ordered measures regarding the safety of the facility.

A source from the Clinic reported that staff were informed approximately two weeks ago that part of the facility became unusable due to water pipe failure, foundation cracks, and ground subsidence.

The Ministry of Health warned that sensationalist media reporting could jeopardize the actions of authorities regarding security-sensitive individuals. The Ministry of Health stated, "The decision to evacuate was made by the Director based on her own assessment of the building's safety," and "Unfounded public disturbance and sensationalism could jeopardize the treatment of security-sensitive persons."

Context of the facility

The clinic has been under public attention following the placement of a boy who committed a mass murder at OŠ "Vladislav Ribnikar" at the facility. That individual was placed in the Clinic for Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth immediately after the crime occurred on May 3, 2023.

Glossary

• Belgrade — Belgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers.