Aging workforce and departure of health workers among key challenges for Bosnia and Herzegovina's health systems

(Patria) - The Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe and the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies today presented the latest report on the state of health systems in 15 non-EU countries titled: Health Systems in Action Insights, providing a comprehensive overview of health system structures, their efficiency, and opportunities for improvement.

The new report on Bosnia and Herzegovina offers data and insights into a wide range of issues, from health system financing to trends in the health workforce, access to health insurance and benefits, to life expectancy and the incidence of non-communicable diseases.

According to the report's findings, differences in health policy approaches and levels of decentralization in Bosnia and Herzegovina contribute to significant inequalities. Although social health insurance programs are mandatory in both entities of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Brčko District, insurance coverage is incomplete, leaving a large portion of the population with limited or no access to public healthcare. The sustainability of public health spending remains a concern, with out-of-pocket payments accounting for 31% of total health expenditures. Challenges such as the aging of the health workforce and the emigration of health workers have yet to be strategically addressed.

Erwin Cooreman, WHO Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, emphasizes: "Mortality rates are generally declining, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused a significant increase in excess deaths. Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death and disability, while cancer contributes to premature mortality among adults. Risk factors such as smoking, poor diet, and hypertension remain major public health challenges."

The report, drawing on experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic, presents best practices and new innovations to accelerate progress toward stronger and more resilient health systems.

"While it is difficult to generalize about healthcare across 15 different countries, almost all countries have seen improvements in life expectancy and reductions in maternal and newborn mortality. Some persistent challenges are present in all countries, including the aging of the health workforce and reliance on out-of-pocket payments, which hit the most vulnerable populations hardest," says Dr. Hans Henri P. Kluge, WHO Regional Director for Europe.

The country-specific report analyzes key areas for upgrading health systems, including governance, financing, workforce, service delivery, and digital tools. New insights provide clear data and analyses that enable decision-makers, health workers, and other stakeholders to gain essential knowledge for policy, practice, and future challenges.

"The value of these reports lies in their practicality and relevance," emphasizes Dr. Ewout van Ginneken, Director of the European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies.

"Each of them contains new evidence, compelling lessons, and thoughtful recommendations that will enable better planning and evaluation of the future of health systems."