Bosnia joins EU health revolution

By joining the EU4Health program in July last year, Bosnia and Herzegovina gained the opportunity to actively participate in one of the most significant health programs of the European Union, with a total budget of €4.4 billion for the 2021–2027 period. This program opens numerous opportunities to strengthen health systems, improve public health, increase the availability of medicines, and develop more effective mechanisms for responding to health crises, CE Report quotes FENA.

Through EU4Health, it is possible to apply for non-repayable (grant) funds through open calls. The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina regularly informs the public about these opportunities via its official website and through direct calls from the European Commission sent to the competent institutions of EU member states and associated countries. Potential beneficiaries include healthcare institutions, associations, institutes, educational and research institutions, and other organizations in the health sector. It is important to note that individuals cannot apply independently.

EU4Health is focused on achieving several key priorities: fighting cancer, digitalizing the health sector, preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases, strengthening the capacities of healthcare workers, and increasing preparedness for future health challenges.

According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, 14 institutions from Bosnia and Herzegovina have already applied in 2024 to participate in seven joint actions implemented through consortia with dozens of partners from the EU and the region. This, they note, is an indicator of the growing interest among domestic institutions in utilizing the funding and expert support the program offers.

Joint actions represent a specific form of grant funding directly awarded to EU member states and third countries associated with the program, without the need for a public call. Their goal is to co-finance projects of common interest in the health sector, and they are implemented by consortia composed of competent authorities and affiliated entities appointed by the relevant health institutions.

Institutions that have applied in 2024 include: the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Department for Health and Other Services of the Brčko District of BiH, the Public Health Institute of FBiH, the Public Health Institute of RS, the Health Insurance and Reinsurance Fund of FBiH, the University Clinical Center of RS, the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, the University Clinical Center of Tuzla, the University Clinical Hospital of Mostar, the Health Center Banja Luka, the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Banja Luka, the Pharmaceutical Society of RS, and the Pharmaceutical Chamber of RS.

To coordinate activities and increase efficiency, healthcare institutions at all levels of authority have appointed contact points for the EU4Health program. In cooperation with the main contact point—the Ministry of Civil Affairs—they work on promoting the program, sharing information about its goals, activities, and achievements.

Institutions and public health organizations from BiH are currently participating in joint actions on the prevention of cancer caused by infections, vaccines for cancer prevention, combating infectious diseases (HIV, AIDS, tuberculosis, hepatitis), personalized medicine for cancer patients, and the development of pediatric palliative care.

Particularly important topics involving BiH institutions also include the promotion of mental health focused on prevention and support for vulnerable groups, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyles and disease prevention—such as activities aimed at creating smoke-free environments.

The Ministry emphasizes that one of the joint actions will be dedicated to the highly important issue of determining prices and reimbursement costs in healthcare, with the expected involvement of institutions responsible for health insurance.

Special attention is also being paid to strengthening the network of national contact points, which will further enhance the capacity for implementation and visibility of the EU4Health program in Bosnia and Herzegovina and other associated countries.

It is also important to emphasize that, to successfully participate in these projects, healthcare institutions must have teams formed in a timely manner to work on project proposals. In addition to a high-quality idea, strict legal and procedural requirements must be met.

Ultimately, all these efforts are aimed at achieving the key goal—improving the quality of healthcare and raising the overall quality of life for the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Ministry states.

The EU4Health program represents a strategic opportunity to advance the health sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina and offers a concrete step forward in strengthening the resilience, efficiency, and accessibility of the healthcare system.

Through financial and expert support, the program enables investments in healthcare infrastructure, the procurement of modern medical equipment, and the digitization of health services. This significantly increases the healthcare system's capacity for timely and coordinated action in crisis situations, natural disasters, and other emergencies.

The program also supports the development of national programs for disease prevention, early detection, and more effective treatment of chronic and infectious diseases—including mental health, which is becoming an increasingly significant public health issue.

Regarding access to innovations and medicines, the EU4Health program enables participation in joint procurements at the EU level. This allows member states and associated countries access to modern therapies, vaccines, and medical products, often under more favorable financial conditions, the Ministry highlights.

One of the most important priorities of the EU4Health program in the context of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the fight against cancer, which presents a serious public health challenge. The program funds initiatives for prevention, including campaigns to reduce risk factors and preventive measures such as vaccinations against viruses linked to cancer development, such as HPV and hepatitis B.

A special focus is placed on early disease detection and diagnosis, significantly increasing the chances for timely and successful treatment. Additionally, EU4Health provides funding for research and development of innovative therapeutic approaches, strengthening psychological and social support for patients and their families, and improving access to essential medicines and medical supplies—especially in the context of crises or other public health threats. These measures directly contribute to building a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient healthcare system, both in the EU and in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the ultimate goal of reducing mortality, increasing treatment success, and improving the quality of life for people affected by disease, especially cancer, the Ministry emphasizes.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with its responsibilities, remains firmly committed to coordinating activities within the EU4Health program, in close cooperation with relevant institutions at the entity, cantonal, and Brčko District levels. Through this cooperation, the Ministry will persist in ensuring that Bosnia and Herzegovina gains the maximum benefit from this program.

In this context, the establishment of a coordination desk for the EU4Health program is in its final phase. Its role will be to provide expert and technical support to domestic institutions in preparing and implementing projects. The aim is to increase the effectiveness of fund utilization and ensure their full usage through strategic and well-prepared initiatives.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH emphasizes that "we must all make additional efforts to make greater use of available EU funds and projects."

Bosnia and Herzegovina must significantly increase the number of well-prepared applications in order to ensure tangible benefits for BiH and further strengthen its healthcare system as well as other sectors. EU4Health is a strategic opportunity to strengthen our healthcare system—it's up to us to take full advantage of it. We must not allow the funds to go unused, the Ministry concludes in its statement to FENA.