Minister Dubravka Bošnjak Hosted Eurotransplant Delegation: KCUS and Institute for Transfusion Medicine Also Visited

(Patria) - 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 CEO André Matera, and also includes Medical Director Dr. Erwin de Buijzer and Supervisory Board Chairman Prof. Dirk Van Raemdonck.

This is the first official visit of Eurotransplant leadership to Bosnian and Herzegovinian institutions, at a time when BiH is intensifying its activities towards full membership in the international network that annually coordinates over 7,000 transplants 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.

“I am very pleased to have hosted 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 CEO André Matera thanked the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH for the exceptionally well-organized visit, emphasizing that such a level of preparation has enabled a clearer understanding of Bosnia and Herzegovina's current capabilities and needs.

“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 advancing 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,” Matera said.

The Eurotransplant leadership expressed readiness for further cooperation and presented the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH with a proposal, specifically a Draft Agreement, that would enable the connection of transplant centers from BiH with transplant centers within Eurotransplant. This Draft also foresees the possibility of limited organ exchange, as well as the inclusion of patients from BiH on Eurotransplant waiting lists through partner transplant centers, should the contracting parties, i.e., the transplant centers, agree on it. The Ministry of Civil Affairs will forward the draft agreements, as soon as they are officially received, 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 Eurotransplant delegation's visit, a professional session was held at 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 shared commitment to developing the transplant system and promoting 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, healthcare institutions, and individuals,” Bošnjak pointed out.

Eurotransplant Medical Director Dr. Erwin de Buijzer highlighted 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 impacts patient safety and the quality of outcomes.”

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

“We appreciate the open approach of Bosnia and Herzegovina and its 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 of 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 familiarized themselves with existing capacities and challenges.

The process of accession to Eurotransplant was reinitiated 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. Furthermore, BiH 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.