Pivić and Mušija visited the Faculty of Medicine: Full support for better healthcare in ZDK

(Patria) - The Prime Minister of the Zenica-Doboj Canton, Nezir Pivić, and the Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport, Mirza Mušija, visited the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Zenica, where they met with the Dean, Prof. Dr. Harun Hodžić, and his associates to discuss the current situation and development plans of this faculty.

Prime Minister Pivić emphasized that healthcare is a focus of the government he leads, and the Faculty of Medicine is of exceptional importance in this regard, which is why the institutions are committed to continuing to work on strengthening and equipping this faculty. The Faculty of Medicine currently uses part of the premises of the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (former Faculty of Metallurgy), and the Government's plan is to build a building for the needs of the Faculty of Medicine within the complex of the new Cantonal Hospital.

- We are dedicated to strengthening all faculties and allocating significant funds for their equipment, in which we have made a strong leap forward. In 2025, capital expenditures amounted to 4 million KM, of which more than 1.3 million were budget funds intended for the procurement of equipment necessary for equipping laboratories and the reconstruction of university facilities.

We want to create conditions for higher quality studies with a modern approach to teaching, and therefore we are ready to support every project and investment that will raise the quality of teaching and make our study programs attractive to domestic and foreign students - said Prime Minister Pivić. He added that UNZE is one of the few universities in BiH where regular students at most faculties pay only an annual enrollment fee of 50 KM, while study costs are free.

He also emphasized that the material status of UNZE employees has significantly improved with the amendment of the collective agreement, and that the Government unequivocally insists on the financial responsibility of the University's management. He stated that the management has not fully utilized the approved funds for 2025 and that, according to the report on the implementation of the Financial Plan, a significant amount of approved funds remained unspent.

Last year, medical equipment worth over 500,000 KM was procured for the needs of the Faculty of Medicine - two virtual anatomical tables, worth around 460,000 KM, and a biochemical and hematological analyzer worth 50,000 KM. With an additional 70,000 KM, the procurement of computer equipment and furniture, works on the training center, and the renovation of restrooms and works on the reconstruction of the multimedia center were financed.

The relevant minister, Mirza Mušija, emphasized that this is only a continuation of investments in equipment and infrastructure at the University, which began in 2024 when this Government allocated over 3.8 million KM for capital expenditures in the University's budget.

- In addition, during the mandate of this Government, at the request of the University of Zenica, additional budget funds of over 100,000 KM per year are approved for student meals at the Student Center in Zenica to improve the quality of students' stay, and with 200,000 KM of budget funds annually, according to the University's budget request, we support scientific research work at this higher education institution - said Mušija.

He noted that in 2026, the allocation for accommodation and meals for students from this canton in the FBiH area was increased to 2 million KM, while 1.5 million KM was allocated for student scholarships.

The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Harun Hodžić, thanked them for their support and strengthening of this faculty. He announced that the Faculty of Medicine in Zenica will host a major international conference next month, expecting the participation of 51 medical faculties from across Europe with their teachers and students.