Support to health institutions in the -Sana Canton

Response to humanitarian and health needs of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees

PROJECT SUMMARY Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 2

“The time is always right to do what is right.”

Martin Luther King 3 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) have an established, constructive and effective partnership with health institutions across (BiH), through the implementation of numerous projects. SDC and DRC recognize the additional strain that is placed on the public healthcare system as a result of the both increased numbers of asylum-seekers, refugees and migrants in the country and the need of about 273 thousands of local citizens in the Una- Sana Canton (USC) area. For these reasons, trough SDC projects they invest significant efforts to make the work of health workers in BiH easier, as well as circumstances caused by COVID-19 pandemic in BiH.

Authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) recorded the arrival of over 65.842 refugees, migrants and asylum seekers to the country between 1 January 2018 and 20 September 2020. Refugees and migrants continue to arrive on a daily basis so that the number of those in need of medical assistance at various health centres and hospitals has dramatically increased. This is particularly significant in USC which has seen the largest number of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, many being in protracted stay.

This results in the intensive mobilization of medical staff, extremely large numbers of medical examinations and serious interventions realised ona daily basis. These challenges are multiplied by often insufficient capacities of healthcare departments in USC to process and analyse medical samples, limited capacities of particular secondary health care departments, as well as challenges for provision of medical services in secondary healthcare facilities. Medical professionals, however, are more than dedicated and do their job with a high professional standard despite all challenges.

Bearing in mind the commitment, empathy and dedication of health workers who have only one goal - to provide equal assistance to all people who need help - SDC and DRC have launched the project „Response to humanitarian and health needs of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees” to support the work of health institutions in USC. The support provided through provision of medical equipment and devices, funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, has improved the quality of medical services for both local population and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 4

Primary Health Center Ključ

“It is extremely important that we cooperate with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and international organizations such as the Danish Refugee Council and their staff who have had previous experience working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in other countries and who are familiar with their needs. We believe that our experience being migrants and refugees ourselves is our advantage, thanks to which we will better understand this population. Our experience in working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers has been built over the past few years. We also think that we can respond to this challenge by ourselves, but if there were not for the organized approach of international organizations and their help, we would have failed.” dr. Behzad Hadžić 5 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

Primary Health Centre

“Cooperation with the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Danish Refugee Council is very important for us and it can help us a lot in additional professional development and improvement of our services. Our Health Centre is small, with a small number of employees, while our municipality is quite diverse. Therefore, the donated sterilization devices will ensure higher quality of medical services for the local population, but also for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers who need health care. Through our cooperation with DRC, we have entered the circle of those people who do their best to help others.” dr. Sabina Softić Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 6

Primary Health Centre Bosanska

“We are here because of patients, and by providing the primary health care, we are a window into the health system. That is why we are happy and satisfied with the medical devices donated to us, which have raised the quality of medical services in our Health Centre to a higher level. Creating better conditions for the treatment of both local people and migrants, refugees and asylum seekers is our priority.” dr. Mujo Kekić 7 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

Primary Health Centre Bihać

“We have all become richer as professionals and as people working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. In the beginning it was difficult - we were not organized, we also had language barriers, but with the establishment of cooperation with international representatives, things came to their place. Thanks to the donated equipment we have been able to improve the quality of services in our health institution, both for local community and for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. All devices are distributed to medical departments and respond daily to the needs of those who need our help the most.” dr. Jasmina Ljubijankić Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 8

Primary Health Center Velika Kladuša

“Working with migrants, refugees and asylum seekers is an additional experience for our employees that has enabled them to grow and develop professionally. For our institution, this meant expanding health services. We are glad that we did it with the support of the Danish Refugee Council, and above all we are proud that we have raised the quality of health services with modern devices that we have received through the support program of the Swiss Development Agency. The health of the local population, but also of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, is our priority.” dr. Senad Okanović 9 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

Primary Health Center

“The quality of health services that we provide daily to the local population, but also to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, is extremely important to us. We are committed to making our patients feel safe and satisfied with the services our medical professionals provide with a lot of understanding and empathy. Through cooperation with the Danish Refugee Council, we have gained new knowledge and experiences, learned about new cultures and traditions, and most importantly, we have helped people who needed our help. The donated medical devices have facilitated and accelerated the work of our medical teams and provided better service for all patients who knock on the door of our Health Center.” dr. Nedima Zulić Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana

Primary Health Center Bužim

“The equipment has significantly improved the work of the Emergency Medical Service and the Dental and Oral Protection Service enhancing medical assistance for both local population and growing migrant population in the municipality of Bužim. The new dentistry equipment has made significant improvement in the quality of services when it comes to provision of dentistry services. The use of pulse oximeters has accelerated provision of emergency services and now, instead of one, we can observe three patients simultaneously. We hope to continue successful cooperation, from which all patients who receive health care at the Bužim Health Center will benefit most.” dr. Sađida Bajrović 11 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

Cantonal Hospital “dr. Irfan Ljubijankić” Bihać

“Cooperation with the Swiss Embassy and the Danish Refugee Council has greatly facilitated the work of employees of the Cantonal Hospital in Bihać. Therefore, we, as medical workers, have provided all our patients with better quality of services. With the prompt reaction and the COVID-19 ambulance establishment, in the midst of the pandemic, we have created ideal conditions to satisfy, in one place, all the needs for the residents of Una-Sana Canton, as well as for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, we have equipped and adapted the laundry premises, procured adequate machines and ensured the maximum level of hygiene standards for all patients and hospital employees.” dr. Hajrudin Havić Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 12

Institute of Public Health of Una-Sana Canton

“We were lacking certain equipment, but the Swiss Development Agency and the Danish Refugee Council gave it to us selflessly. In this way, they facilitated the work of our employees, modernized the work of the Institute which became a stronger partner to other health care institutions. Most importantly, with the new equipment we have offered better services to the USC residents, but also to everyone who lives or needs help in the area of our canton. The laminar chamber will primarily protect our employees and prevent any possibility of infection when processing certain samples. Other devices will significantly improve the work during the analysis of food, water, air, as well as clinical microbiology samples. We are especially pleased that some of the donated equipment will play an important role in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic.” Emira Bišćević 13 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton

Donated equipment

Pressure gauges Examination beds Washing machine with dryer Drug tests Medical lamps Inhaler Oxygen bottle Autoclaves ECG devices Laboratory centrifuge Ionizer Screens with frame Ultrasound machine Fisiotech Defibrillator Industrial washing machine Industrial tumble dryer X-ray Dental device Colposcope Distiller Dentistry equipment Pulse oximeter Turbine Incubator Laminar chamber Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton 14

The project „Response to humanitarian and health needs of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees” was implemented in the period from December 2019 to June 2020, and 311.185,62 BAM was allocated for direct support to work of health institutions in the USC. SDC, DRC and health institutions are proud of their cooperation to raise the level of medical services and improve the healthcare system in Una-Sana Canton.

Together we can do more!

Project has been realized with the support of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Policy of Una-Sana, , Herzegovina- and Canton, direct engagement of health institutions, respecting relevant laws in the health system. Cooperation has also been maintained with the Ministry of Security, the Ministry of Human Rights and Refugees and Service of Foreign Affairs, Civil Protection BIH, EUD, UN agencies, local & international agencies in BIH 15 Support to health institutions in the Una-Sana Canton Sarajevo, 2020.