Joint Efforts to Improve Conditions at the Public Institution Institute for Occupational and Sports Medicine of Zenica-Doboj Canton

(Patria) - The Minister of Health of Zenica-Doboj Canton, Dr. Aida Salčinović,
along with the acting director of the Health Insurance Fund of ZDC, Ahmed Kasap, the Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of ZDC, Goran Bulajić, and the Minister for Veterans' Affairs of ZDC, Adnan Sirovic, visited the Public Institution Institute for Occupational and Sports Medicine of ZDC yesterday, where they discussed current issues and plans for further investments and improvement of working conditions.

The Ministry of Health of ZDC has allocated significant funds for 2025 to improve the Institute's operations – 176,000 KM for the purchase of a new X-ray machine, and 228,000 KM through current transfers for financing athletes' healthcare and projects in the field of public health occupational medicine.

An amendment to the current transfer program is also underway, which will provide an additional 200,000 KM to the Institute, confirming the clear commitment of the ZDC Government to improve working conditions and the quality of services provided.

Minister Salčinović emphasized the importance of continuous investment in healthcare institutions that provide services to workers and athletes.

She specifically highlighted that the Institute should submit data on priority needs for the HSIP project – Improvement of the Health System in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which the Federal Ministry of Health is implementing in cooperation with the World Bank, with the aim of ensuring modern equipment and standards in its operations.

The Director of the Health Insurance Fund of ZDC, Ahmed Kasap, expressed a clear commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Institute through concrete and measurable steps. He pointed out that certain activities have already been initiated, and key measures will be implemented during 2026.

During constructive discussions, priorities for action were defined: expanding the services provided by the Institute, accelerating the recovery of insured persons on sick leave, and developing and implementing solutions that will contribute to reducing waiting lists in the canton through better utilization of the Institute's capacities.

The Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of ZDC, Goran Bulajić, expressed satisfaction with the measures taken so far by the Ministry of Health of ZDC and the Health Insurance Fund of ZDC. It was emphasized that there is a clear and strong political will to finally organize and improve the Institute's operations systematically through concrete, sustainable, and strategically oriented steps.

Bulajić invited the Institute's management to submit a precise overview of needs and priority projects that would contribute to strengthening capacities, modernizing operations, and improving its position in the healthcare services market.

He particularly emphasized the importance of capital investments in modern medical equipment as a key prerequisite for raising the quality of work, expanding the scope of services, and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Institute.

This visit confirms the joint commitment of institutions to strengthening the functionality of the Institute for Occupational and Sports Medicine, with the aim of improving the accessibility, efficiency, and quality of healthcare services for workers, athletes, and all insured persons of Zenica-Doboj Canton.