Center for Health Promotion and Improvement Presents Work Results

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Therapeutic exercises three times a week for nearly 500 users, physical programs with over 1,500 procedures performed, medical counseling used more than 1,000 times, and nearly 300 active users – these are just some of the results achieved by the Center for Health Promotion and Improvement in the past seven months of operation.

A presentation of the results, as well as plans for future activities, was held today in the Municipality of Stari Grad, and the president of the Association "Generacija" Mahir Selmanović spoke about the implemented projects. Incidentally, "Generacija" implements activities at the Center for Health Promotion and Improvement, which was founded by the Municipality of Stari Grad.

- Our program activities are adapted to health trends aimed at improving the health of all generations: preschool age, the working-age population, and of course, the elderly. Official data show very good health results, which is extremely important to us. We offer the elderly specific therapeutic exercises, free certain health check-ups such as blood sugar and blood pressure measurements, health excursions, and other activities - said Selmanović.

- We will strive to develop new partnerships, projects, and establish cooperation with organizations and individuals of similar thinking and capacity in the future - he added.

In its efforts to improve the lives of the elderly, the Municipality of Stari Grad, through the Local Development Sector, launched activities last year to open the first center of this kind in the Canton of Sarajevo.

- The importance of this Center also lies in the fact that it is open to all citizens of the Canton of Sarajevo, not just residents of the Municipality of Stari Grad. The Municipality provided the space for the Center's operation, and procured equipment and materials for which we allocated about 70,000 KM. Given the significant results of this project, we have decided to continue it in 2018 - stated Selma Velić, head of the Local Development Sector.

Zrinka Kalaba has been a member of the Center since its establishment.

- This is a great thing and we are very grateful that we have this center. People who come for therapy are very happy and satisfied. Besides people recovering physically, all of this also has a significant impact on the members' psyche - said Zrinka.

The oldest member, Fadila Džemidžić, spoke with great satisfaction about the Center's activities.

- I have been coming to the Center since the first day. We exercise every day. I am involved in all activities. They also take care of our health. They regularly take our blood and measure our blood pressure - said Fadila.

Ševala Kadirović spoke about the Center's activities that have enriched her life in recent months.

- My health condition has greatly improved. I had severe dizziness which I no longer have. This Center is the best thing that has happened to us - emphasized Ševala.

The Center for Health Promotion and Improvement is located at Obala Kulina bana 22. The Center was opened by the Municipality of Stari Grad, which invested funds in its adaptation and equipping, and finances the activities that take place there, while the Association "Generacija" is responsible for managing the center.

Members of the Center for Health Promotion and Improvement and the Center for Healthy Aging formed the Choir "Ruža", which today delighted those present with performances of sevdalinka songs "Ružo moja" and "Razbolje se šimšir list". An exhibition of photographs about the Center's activities was organized, along with a gastronomic excursion into healthy food delicacies prepared by the KS Chefs Association.

At the end of last year, thanks to the launch of this center and efforts to improve the lives of the elderly, the Municipality of Stari Grad received recognition from the UN Population Fund for Development.