KCUS Celebrates 120th Anniversary in Sarajevo City Hall

Last night, a ceremony was held in Sarajevo City Hall to mark the 120th anniversary of the founding and successful operation of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo, the most significant health institution in Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the formal ceremony, attendees had the opportunity to recall the history of KCUS's founding and operation, whose fate is inextricably linked with the history of BiH, reports the Patria News Agency.

From the State Hospital founded in 1894 to today's KCUS with 3,740 employees in three institutes, 37 clinics, four services, and other supporting organizational units, this healthcare institution has always served people, with the aim of offering professional help, encouragement, and hope to those who need it, the sick and their families.

On behalf of one of KCUS's founders, the Government of the Federation of BiH, the federal Prime Minister Nermin Nikšić addressed the attendees, reminding them of the importance and role of KCUS, especially during the aggression against BiH.

“It is the obligation of all of us in government institutions to provide maximum support for the further development of healthcare. I can proudly say that the current director of KCUS, while serving as the Minister of Health in the Government of FBiH, did a great job in creating the legislative framework and improving the position of healthcare workers.

I am sure that he will perform his current position with equal success and that KCUS, under his leadership, will reach the highest European standards in terms of hospital operations. Of course, all this will not be possible without all the employees, for whom I am sure they have the knowledge and desire to make our Koševo hospital a healthcare institution that we will all be satisfied with,” emphasized Prime Minister Nikšić.

Prof. Dr. Vjekoslav Gerc, one of the oldest living doctors who once worked at KCUS, reminded attendees in his address of the people who, through their work, dedication, and knowledge, left an indelible mark and made an indispensable contribution to the development of KCUS.

“KCUS has become the most prestigious medical institution in the Western Balkans. Nothing great would have been achieved without all the wonderful colleagues, doctors, humanists, altruists who, over 120 years, have woven their lives and professions into KCUS,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Gerc.

Academician Lidija Lincender also addressed the attendees, emphasizing that KCUS has always been open to patients, to whom the most modern healthcare, quality diagnostics, and therapy are always provided.

“At KCUS, continuous work is being done on staff education, the introduction of new surgical procedures, diagnostic imaging modalities, and modern treatment approaches,” stated Academician Lincender.

The General Director of KCUS, Prof. Dr. Rusmir Mesihović, spoke about KCUS today and its future plans, emphasizing that the teaching and scientific staff of this institution include one academician, 57 university professors and 45 associate professors, 38 doctors of medical sciences, and 219 masters, confirming its role as the leading clinical institution for education in BiH.

“Our vision and goal is to research our own resources, knowledge, capabilities, and existing potentials in transforming from a traditional to a modern hospital. We are proud of the recently performed autologous stem cell transplantation, which was performed for the first time at the Pediatric Clinic at KCUS. Such a procedure is performed in only three centers in the region,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Mesihović.

He stressed that KCUS has long-term plans and strives for their realization, and is ready to change and improve them in line with modern world achievements in this field.

“I emphasize that the existence of our institution is focused on providing healthcare services to patients, while increasing economic efficiency and constantly improving quality in both treatment outcomes and service provision,” emphasized Prof. Dr. Mesihović.

A 17-minute film was also shown to the attendees at the ceremony, briefly presenting the 120 years of the founding and successful operation of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo.