BIMA responds to Puharić: If something is to be reviewed, let it be the truth

(Patria) - The Medical Association BIMA has responded to statements by the Mayor of Sarajevo, Predrag Puharić, who said he is seeking a review of the decision to award the 'April 6 Award' to BIMA.

"BIMA, through our 26 years of work and 102 humanitarian missions, has become synonymous with volunteerism, dedication, and medical care directed towards those who need it most.

Our mission has always been clear - to help people, without politics, without interests, without expecting any reward other than the one that comes from the heart.

Everything we have done, we have done exclusively on a voluntary basis. Everything we have achieved, we have achieved thanks to the voluntary work of people who believe in humanity. Regardless of the challenges, we have never strayed from that path.

In that context, we wish to respond to the statements by the Mayor of Sarajevo, Predrag Puharić, who publicly expressed views on reviewing the decision to award the 'April 6 Award'.

If something is to be reviewed, then let the truth be reviewed. Let it be reviewed how it is possible that court rulings are ignored, while the voluntary work of people who selflessly helped the sick and vulnerable is called into question.

Attached, we provide the first-instance verdict, which clearly shows that we went through the legal process and that the accusations were unfounded. The presumption of innocence, one of the basic legal principles, has been completely disregarded in this case.



On the other hand, while the legal decision is clearly ignored, serious and unfounded accusations are made against people who have dedicated their lives to medicine and humanitarian work for decades.

More than 300 doctors and 300 medical workers who are part of BIMA are today being put in the pillory - without basis, without evidence, without any need.

BIMA is not an organization that deals with politics. BIMA is an organization that has entered every forgotten place in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

We were there where many turned a blind eye. We stood by those who were abandoned, helping mothers, returnees, children who had no basic healthcare.

We visited Bratunac, Srebrenica, Višegrad, Foča, Kostajnica, Bosanski Novi, Prijedor, Prnjavor, Banja Luka - and many other places where our help was needed. And we did not ask for a name, nation, or religion.

Only for the pain and for the way to help. That is why we are concerned when our work, guided solely by humane principles, is called into question.

If there is insistence on reviewing decisions, then first and foremost the ignoring of court rulings, selective presentation of information, and attempts to belittle voluntary work with political statements should be reviewed.

BIMA is neither an organization nor an institution. BIMA is an idea. The idea that no one should be left behind. The idea that health must be above politics. The idea that a person must help another person.

In a time when it is most important to ensure stability and trust in healthcare institutions, we call for responsibility and objectivity.

This is not just our story - it is the story of all those for whom BIMA was a lifeline, and of all those who believe that humanity cannot and must not be called into question - states the statement from the Medical Association BIMA, signed by President Hasan Mrkonja.