Minister Dubravka Bošnjak visits the Croatian Hospital “Dr. fra Mato Nikolić”: EU programmes and transplant medicine in focus

The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, visited today the Croatian Hospital “Dr. fra Mato Nikolić” in Nova Bila, where she met with the hospital director, Dr. Mladen Čuturić, and associates. The meeting addressed current challenges and development perspectives of the healthcare system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with particular emphasis on the opportunities offered by European Union health programmes.

Special attention was given to the EU4Health programme, the largest European Union programme aimed at strengthening health systems, as well as the possibilities for healthcare institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in projects contributing to the improvement of healthcare quality, the digitalisation of health services, and the education of healthcare professionals.

Minister Bošnjak also spoke about Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession activities related to Eurotransplant and the importance of developing transplant medicine. She recalled that the Eurotransplant leadership, during its first official visit to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, submitted to the Ministry a draft Teaching and Training Agreement (TTA).

“Developing transplant medicine represents one of the most important areas of modern healthcare. The TTA Teaching and Training Agreement with Eurotransplant opens the path for knowledge transfer through training and work in accordance with European standards and protocols, with the possibility of limited inclusion of patients from BiH in the organ exchange system through partner centres,” said Bošnjak, expressing her expectation that healthcare institutions in BiH will take advantage of the opportunities offered to strengthen institutional capacities, educate professional staff, and enhance cross-border cooperation in organ donation and transplantation.

The hospital director, Dr. Mladen Čuturić, informed the Minister about the hospital’s work and development plans, emphasizing the importance of international partnerships, professional education, and participation in European programmes for the further improvement of healthcare services provided by the institution to patients from the Central Bosnia Canton and other parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

He thanked Minister Bošnjak for her visit and for the support she provides to the improvement of the healthcare system. As part of the visit, hospital representatives signed donor cards, personally demonstrating support for the development of organ donation and transplant medicine, and highlighting the importance of solidarity and humanity in the healthcare system.

Accompanied by her hosts, Minister Bošnjak also toured the construction works on the 7th and 8th floors of the hospital’s new wing. The completion of these works will significantly expand existing capacities and ensure more modern conditions for patient treatment and the work of medical staff. The expansion of hospital capacities through the construction of a new wing represents one of the most important infrastructure projects for healthcare in Central Bosnia, contributing to a long-term improvement in healthcare standards.

The Croatian Hospital “Dr. fra Mato Nikolić” in Nova Bila is one of the most significant healthcare institutions in the Central Bosnia Canton, providing healthcare services to the population of this part of Bosnia and Herzegovina for decades. Today, it is a modern healthcare institution that continuously invests in the development of professional capacities, medical equipment, and the quality of healthcare services. Through its work and results, it represents an important pillar of the healthcare system and an example of successful development and improvement of healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina.