The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina Dubravka Bošnjak meets with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Turkey, Kemal Memişoğlu

The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, held a meeting in Istanbul, Turkey, with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Turkey, Kemal Memişoğlu. The main topics of discussion were strengthening cooperation in the healthcare sector, implementing the existing Agreement between the Council of Ministers of BiH and the Government of the Republic of Turkey, and the future development of healthcare.

The Cooperation Agreement in the healthcare sector, signed in 2010, serves as the foundation for improving cooperation between the two countries. It is necessary to define specific priorities, such as the exchange of experts, digitization of the healthcare sector, and improving procedures in transplant medicine.

Minister Bošnjak emphasized the significant support provided by the Republic of Turkey to the healthcare system of Bosnia and Herzegovina through donations of vaccines and medical equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic. These activities further strengthened the already good relations between the two countries.

Minister Memişoğlu supported initiatives that would enable the exchange of experiences and technologies, particularly in the fields of preventive medicine, diagnostics, and digitalization.

It was also emphasized that the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, in cooperation with the entity ministries of health and the Brčko District, will continue to define priority areas for cooperation, with a particular focus on transplant medicine, an area of great interest to Bosnia and Herzegovina.

During her visit to Istanbul, Minister Dubravka Bošnjak attended the 10th World Turkish Congress on the topic “Health in Disasters and the Future of Health.” In her address to the participants, she stated that Bosnia and Herzegovina is working on strengthening capacities at all levels to respond quickly and efficiently to new health challenges.

She also highlighted that the priority remains the prevention of infectious and non-communicable diseases, primarily routine immunization of children, but also ensuring that vulnerable groups and adults receive the necessary vaccines.

Minister Dubravka Bošnjak specifically emphasized that Bosnia and Herzegovina is continuing necessary reforms on its path to EU accession and expressed gratitude for the technical support provided by the European Union and UN agencies, long-standing partners of BiH, particularly in the areas of redesigning primary healthcare and hospital health services.