Minister Bošnjak at the Symposium "We Have Donors – We Have Transplants" - Challenges and Opportunities for the Development of Transplant Medicine in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, participated in the symposium titled "We Have Donors – We Have Transplants," organized by the Donor Network in BiH and the Association of Dialysed and Transplanted Patients in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in cooperation with the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo. The symposium brought together experts in the field of transplant medicine, with the goal of discussing current challenges and opportunities in the field of transplantation, particularly in the context of the growing number of patients waiting for a transplant, while the number of donated organs remains insufficient for the needs of the healthcare system.

In her opening address, Minister Bošnjak emphasized the importance of raising awareness about this issue. "The number of patients waiting for a transplant is continuously increasing, while the number of available organs remains inadequate. This situation requires urgent action and professional support from all of us," stated Bošnjak.

One of the key topics of the symposium was the potential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to join Eurotransplant, an international organization that supports cooperation in organ donation and exchange among member countries.

"After nearly 14 years of stagnation, at the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, with the consent of the relevant entity ministries of health, finally sent a letter of intent to Eurotransplant, officially starting the process of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s accession to this important international network and laying the foundation for further improving our system. During meetings with Eurotransplant leadership, discussions were held about the conditions and possibilities for bilateral cooperation," said Minister Dubravka Bošnjak, commending the work of the Donor Network of BiH and the Association of Dialyzed and Transplanted Patients of the FBiH, highlighting their dedication to promoting organ donation and raising awareness among citizens, thus fostering solidarity and humanity within the community.

The symposium, held at the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, served as a platform for exchanging experiences among experts who continually improve their knowledge in the field of transplantation, contributing to the development of capacities and the quality of services for transplanted patients in Bosnia and Herzegovina.