Minister Dubravka Bošnjak hosted a delegation from Eurotransplant: They also visited the University Clinical Center Sarajevo (KCUS) and the Institute for Transfusion Medicine

(Patria) - The Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dubravka Bošnjak, met today with a delegation from Eurotransplant, which is on a three-day official visit to BiH.

The delegation is led by Eurotransplant General Director André Matera, and the delegation also includes Medical Director Dr. Erwin de Buijzer and Chairman of the Supervisory Board Prof. Dirk Van Raemdonck.

This is the first official visit of the Eurotransplant leadership to the institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, at a time when BiH is intensifying its activities on the path to full membership in the international network that coordinates more than 7,000 transplants annually across Europe.

Key prerequisites that BiH needs to fulfill for accession to Eurotransplant were discussed at the meeting, including strengthening the legislative and institutional framework and enhancing the capacities of hospital teams.

"It is a great pleasure for me to host the leadership of Eurotransplant. Our goal is clear: to establish a functional, fair, and efficient system for organ donation and transplantation that will save as many lives as possible. This requires coordinated support from all levels of competent authorities and active involvement of hospital administrations to ensure stable and sustainable development of the transplant system in Bosnia and Herzegovina," stated Minister Bošnjak.

Eurotransplant General Director André Matera thanked the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH for the exceptionally well-organized visit, emphasizing that this level of preparation has enabled a clearer understanding of the current capabilities and needs of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“This visit allows us to better understand the capacities and challenges in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We are ready to continue providing expert support to meet the necessary conditions for the advancement of transplant medicine in BiH and future integration into the European network. We appreciate the efforts of the Ministry of Civil Affairs and look forward to continuing our cooperation,” said Matera.

The leadership of Eurotransplant expressed readiness for further cooperation and presented a proposal, namely a Draft Agreement, to the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH that would enable the connection of transplant centers from BiH with transplant centers within Eurotransplant. This Draft also envisages the possibility of limited organ exchange, as well as the inclusion of patients from BiH on Eurotransplant waiting lists through partner transplant centers, if the contracting parties, i.e., the transplant centers, agree on it. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will forward the draft agreements, as soon as it officially receives them, to the competent health authorities, in the hope that they will recognize and utilize this important opportunity for further improvement of the transplant system in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

As part of the visit, the Eurotransplant delegation held a professional session in the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, attended by numerous representatives of health institutions from across the country. The process of accession to Eurotransplant, necessary improvements, and ways to accelerate integration were discussed.

In their presentation, the Eurotransplant leadership presented the work and functional model of Eurotransplant to the competent domestic institutions, with a special emphasis on organ donation and transplantation procedures, and the exchange of experiences with transplant coordinators.

Opening the session, Minister Bošnjak emphasized the common commitment to the development of the transplant system and the promotion of a culture of organ donation.

"Membership in Eurotransplant is not just a technical issue, but a civilizational step forward by which we confirm that health and solidarity know no borders. We are aware that this is a complex process that requires time, coordination, and commitment from all competent levels of government, health institutions, and individuals," emphasized Bošnjak.

Eurotransplant Medical Director Dr. Erwin de Buijzer pointed out that stable, well-equipped, and continuously educated hospital teams are crucial for successful transplant practice.

“Transplant medicine relies on strong and reliable teams. It is important to invest in education, standardization of procedures, and clear protocols, as this directly affects patient safety and the quality of outcomes.”

Chairman of the Supervisory Board Prof. Dirk Van Raemdonck praised the activities of the Ministry of Civil Affairs as well as the readiness of the institutions to improve their processes in line with European practices.

“We appreciate the open approach of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the visible readiness to improve standards, which represents an important step towards future integration into the Eurotransplant network.”

The Eurotransplant delegation visited the University Clinical Center Sarajevo (KCUS), one of the three institutions in BiH where transplants are performed, and the Institute for Transfusion Medicine of the Federation of BiH, where they learned about the existing capacities and challenges.

The process of accession to Eurotransplant was relaunched at the beginning of last year when the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH, with the support of the entity ministries of health, sent a letter of intent. BiH also participated for the first time in the annual assembly of Eurotransplant, where it was officially presented as a potential member in October 2024.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH will continue to actively coordinate activities in the process of accession to Eurotransplant and provide full expert, organizational, and institutional support to the competent health authorities.