FBiH Government: Funds will be provided to prevent the spread of coronavirus

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The Government of the Federation of BiH, at today's session in Sarajevo, adopted information on the activities undertaken by the competent federal institutions after the emergence of the new coronavirus (COVID-19), which the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern on January 30, 2020.

The Federal Ministry of Health will prepare an act for the Government of the Federation of BiH to address the Council of Ministers of BiH, requesting urgency in responding to the act of February 5, 2020. This ministry will inform the Council of Ministers of BiH with a new act that the Government of FBiH regularly monitors the epidemiological situation and that, if necessary in case of a worsening situation, and upon the recommendation of the WHO, it is prepared to propose new measures, such as restricting the movement of citizens coming from the People's Republic of China, Italy, South Korea, Iran, and other countries affected by the coronavirus, as well as the need to issue a recommendation to BiH citizens, as well as foreign citizens with temporary or permanent residence in BiH, not to travel to countries where COVID-19 is present: People's Republic of China, Italy, South Korea, and Iran.

Should an emergency situation arise, the Government of FBiH will propose to the Council of Ministers of BiH to reduce the number of border crossings for citizens coming from these and other countries affected by the coronavirus.

For the procurement of necessary equipment, including the adaptation of premises, for the protection, primarily of healthcare workers and the population in the Federation of BiH under conditions of a worsening epidemiological situation with coronavirus, and for the financing of quarantine, the Government of FBiH will allocate the necessary funds. The equipment will be procured in accordance with the recommended WHO specification. The Federal Ministry of Finance is tasked with preparing proposals for decisions on the approval of these funds to the Federal Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health of FBiH for the next session of the Government of FBiH, after receiving the request from the Federal Ministry of Health and the Institute of Public Health of FBiH.

It was also concluded that it is necessary to find a suitable facility that could serve as a quarantine for potentially infected persons. The Government of FBiH will convene a joint meeting of all prime ministers of the governments in the Federation of BiH, as well as ministers of health and ministers of internal affairs in FBiH, the Federal Civil Protection Headquarters, and the Red Cross of FBiH within ten days, with the aim of assessing the complete situation in the FBiH region regarding the coronavirus, and undertaking further necessary measures to protect the population and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. An invitation to the meeting will also be sent to the ministries of defense, security, and civil affairs of BiH.

The Government called on all entities not to implement their own measures but to implement the measures of health authorities. As stated in the information, no confirmed case of disease caused by coronavirus has been registered in the FBiH so far. However, the epidemiological situation in the world is changing very rapidly, and the occurrence of COVID-19 can be expected in FBiH and BiH.

Crisis headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health and cantonal crisis headquarters have been formed, carrying out their activities in accordance with the Law on Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases, international health legislation, as well as recommendations from the WHO and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

On February 4 and February 26, 2020, meetings of the Conference on Health were held, consisting of the Minister of Civil Affairs of BiH, entity ministers of health, and the head of the Department for Health of Brčko District BiH. Information on measures being taken to prevent the occurrence and control of diseases caused by the new coronavirus was exchanged at these meetings.

A meeting was also held between the Prime Ministers of the Federation of BiH and Republika Srpska, ministers of health, directors of institutes of public health and clinical centers, and representatives of the Ministry of Civil Affairs of BiH and other officials, at which the current situation in BiH was discussed. The conclusion of the meeting was that health institutions and crisis headquarters of the entities are ready to respond to the emergence of coronavirus in BiH. It was concluded that it is important to send a message to the population that there is no reason for panic, that the situation is continuously monitored, and to propose appropriate measures to the competent governments, which are ready to respond adequately. Epidemiological surveillance in FBiH has been intensified, and it has also been carried out in a Chinese company engaged in the construction of Corridor Vc in the area of Herzegovina-Neretva Canton. The laboratory of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo can diagnose the new coronavirus. Additional tests for coronavirus detection donated by the WHO have just arrived in BiH. Competent institutions in FBiH are in constant contact with the aim of implementing intensified epidemiological surveillance and raising the level of preparedness and response to the potential occurrence of suspicious cases. The Federal Ministry of Health is also in constant contact with the WHO. All BiH and foreign citizens with permanent or temporary residence in FBiH who have returned to BiH from Italy, South Korea, and Iran in the last seven days are invited to contact their competent cantonal institute of public health by phone, regardless of whether they have symptoms of the disease or not, for consultation on further action, and to remain in home self-isolation. In case of symptoms of a respiratory illness (fever, cough, difficulty breathing), they should immediately notify the competent cantonal institute of public health by phone. The Crisis Headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Health, for the safety of students and teachers, recommends the cancellation of excursions and organized school trips to Italy.