Second anniversary of the successful operation of the Health Promotion Centre marked

The Centre for Health Promotion and Improvement of the Municipality of Stari Grad today celebrated the second anniversary of its successful operation with a special program at At mejdan. Nearly 600 users,
daily therapeutic exercises, physical therapy, medical counseling, health excursions, and therapeutic exercises with preschool children are results that even much larger institutions cannot boast of, and the smiles on the users' faces best speak of the quality of services this Centre provides.

The Centre was founded by the Municipality of Stari Grad two years ago, which also equipped and provided the premises in Obala Kulina bana street. Annually, funds are allocated by the Municipality to finance programs for the elderly, as well as for the preschool age group.

“The Centre has been recording excellent results for two years now, and the advantage of this service is that it offers membership to citizens of the entire Sarajevo Canton without any administrative obstacles, which is great. Due to the high interest from citizens, we intend to find another space in Stari Grad for these purposes, although for two years now, together with the Municipality, we have been managing a similar centre, the Centre for Healthy Aging, which also records excellent results,” stated the Mayor, Ibrahim Hadžibajrić.

Mahir Selmanović, president of the Association “Generacija” which manages the Centre for Health Promotion and Improvement, emphasizes that their way of working is unique in the entire region.

“The Centre offers programs and activities for all generational groups. Between 100 and 150 users pass through our Centre's activities daily, and we have also included three kindergartens in our work, introducing proper nutrition and exercises to the children. Furthermore, we have developed a special program of proper exercises with the Mjedenica Institute for students from that institution and their parents,” Selmanović explained. He added that certain programs offered by the Centre sometimes serve as a substitute for what individuals cannot receive in official health institutions, which makes many things easier for the users. “Everyone who goes through our programs and activities starts looking at their health in a completely different way,” Selmanović said.

At At mejdan today, a mobile diabetology clinic was set up for all interested citizens, where they could measure their blood sugar levels and receive advice on
diabetes and blood sugar monitoring devices. The celebration of the second anniversary was enhanced by the performance of the Ruže Choir, as well as the participants from the “Pčelica” Kindergarten and the “Čarobna kućica” Association.

A special place at today's event was given to the Centre's oldest user, ninety-year-old Fadila Džemidžić, who also received a special gift package of healthy
products.

“I come to the Centre from Grbavica every day. I enjoy socializing with other users and doing various exercises. We have everything at the Centre; we can have coffee and tea, go for a walk if the weather is nice. I live alone, my children are busy with their lives, so the Centre means everything to me in life because I am not alone within my four walls,” Fadila explained.

Users of the Centre for Health Promotion and Improvement also had outdoor therapeutic exercises today for the elderly, while children enjoyed socializing with
mascots, face painting, and promotional stands where they received balloons and promotional packages of health supplements and products.