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Bosnia International Health Insurance / Healthcare System
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Bosnia, also
officially named Bosnia and Herzegovina, is a country located in
southern Europe, surrounded by Croatia on the northwest, and
bordered by Serbia, Montenegro and the Adriatic Sea in the
southeast. The country has a population of approximately 4.67
million people with a land area of 51,129 square kilometers.
Sarajevo is the largest city and capital of Bosnia and
Herzegovina. Other populated cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina
include Banja Luka, Tuzla, and Zenica.
After Bosnia and Herzegovina declared independence from Yugoslavia
in 1992, the country suffered a civil war fueled by ethnic
tensions between the Bosniaks, Serbs and Croats; which
collectively made up 95 per cent of the population. The war, which
officially ceased in 1995, devastated the country's infrastructure
and displaced half of the population. Approximately 30 percent of
Bosnia and Herzegovina's healthcare infrastructure was destroyed
and around 30 per cent of healthcare professionals fled the
country, leaving the health care system in a fragile state.
Landmines were used to control the borders and secure movement
within regions. Today, Bosnia-Herzegovina is still littered with
landmines, killing and injuring people every year. It is estimated
that more than 1 million landmines and other unexploded ordinance
exists in the country today.
Today Bosnia-Herzegovina is divided politically into two entities,
the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska.
Both entities administer separate constitutions and governments.
The two health care systems work independently of each other,
however both systems provide similar standards of health care
access and quality.
The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina administers its
healthcare system through it's Ministry of Health and the Cantonal
Ministries of Health. The Cantonal Ministries of Health consist of
clinical centers, cantonal hospitals, general hospitals, Dom
Zdravljas (medical centres), and Ambulantas. The Republika Srpska
administers its healthcare system through it's Ministry of Health
and Social Welfare, which consists of clinical centres, general
hospitals, medical centres, and Ambulantas.
Healthcare facilities are predominantly based in the capital city
Sarajevo. Approximately 40 percent of the country's healthcare
professionals are employed within Sarajevo. Other cities that
offer large hospitals and medical centres include Zenica, Tesanj,
Tuzlar, Mostar, Konjic, Travnik, Bugojno, Bihac, and Gorazde.
There is a large shortage of trained health care professionals and
a general lack of coordination between the two healthcare
entities, both issues creating a barrier to increasing healthcare
access among the Bosnia and Herzegovina population. Specialized
health care services including cardiac and oncology are very
limited due to the small number of specialized trained doctors.
Healthcare facilities tend to be overcrowded due to the small
doctor-patient ratio. Patients, who can afford it, are required to
travel outside of the country to receive specialized healthcare
services. As such, it is highly recommended that expats living in
Bosnia and Herzegovina obtain a health care plan that includes
medical evacuation as well as worldwide medical coverage.
Primary health care is provided by Dom Zdravljas and Ambulantas.
Dom Zdravljas, or medical centres, provide a range of medical
services including general practice, family health, maternity,
radiology, and other diagnostic and health screening services.
Ambulantas are outpatient clinics, usually attached to Dom
Zdravljas. Ambulantas employ general practitioners, nurses, and
dentists. Patients require a referral from a general practitioner
to see a specialized doctor. Outpatient specialized services are
offered within hospitals or medical centres. There are also
medical centers that specialize in providing maternity and
midwifery services, these are located throughout the country,
predominantly in the capital Sarajevo.
Hospitals in Bosnia and Herzegovina typically offer emergency,
internal medicine, surgery, paediatric and maternity care
services. The University of Sarajevo, Kosevo Hospital is the main
hospital in Bosnia and Herzegovina, providing emergency,
inpatient, surgical and specialty services including paediatric
maternity, orthopedics, neurosurgery, infectious diseases, and
cardiac care. Other public hospitals in Sarajevo include the State
Hospital Sarajevo, offering general surgery, internal medicine,
ears nose and throat specialists, maternity and intensive care.
Hospitals and medical centres are predominantly government funded,
with the private sector slowly expanding. Privatization of health
care is legal in Bosnia-Herzegovina, however foreign investment
has been encouraged. There are a small number of private
hospitals, Dom Zdravljas, and Ambulantas. Private health care is
more expensive when compared to government funded facilities,
however there is greater access to healthcare with increased
staffing and modern medical equipment. As such, expats living in
Bosnia and Herzegovina are encouraged to obtain a Bosnia international health
insurance plan, to ensure access to private health care services in the
country.
There are pharmacies in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located primarily
in the capital Sarajevo. The availability and cost of medications
vary depending on whether the facility is government run or
privately owned. Following the war, the 'Essential Drug List' was
created with the assistance of the World Health Organization and
UNICEF, in which government pharmacies are reimbursed accordingly.
The cost of medications are often higher at privately owned
pharmacies.
The United Kingdom and Bosnia and Herzegovina have a special
agreement that allows British citizens to receive medical care in
the event of an accident or illness. The special agreement
provides British citizens with cover for emergency and
hospitalization costs, but does not include the cost of emergency
evacuation or repatriation. As such, it is highly recommended that
expats living in Bosnia and Herzegovina obtain a health insurance
plan that includes coverage for emergency evacuation or
repatriation services.
Expats and travelers to Bosnia and Herzegovina should exercise
caution and receive the necessary vaccinations against
communicable diseases. Vaccinations recommended for Bosnia and
Herzegovina include Rabies, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid,
measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus-diphtheria. There is a
relatively high incidence of rabies in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Landmines and unexploded ordinance are a high threat to civilians
and visitors to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Approximately 3.6 per cent
of the country's land is unusable due to the presence of
landmines. Rural regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina are considered
a highly unsafe. To reduce the risk of serious injury or fatality
from a landmine, expats should stay close to urban areas. If
traveling outside of the city, expats should limit their travel to
roads and developed areas.
Emergency protocols should be adopted by residents in the event of
an accident, serious illness or criminal offense. To call the
police department, ambulance or fire brigade service in Bosnia and
Herzegovina dial 1-1-2.
Ambulance services are adequate in the country, particularly in
the capital Sarajevo, employing trained emergency technicians.
However, it is important to note that emergency response centers
typically do not speak English.
For more information about Bosnia and Herzegovina medical
insurance plans, or to receive a free Bosnia and Herzegovina
International Health Insurance Quote, please contact one of our
dedicated advisers today.
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