Director of the Public Health Institution University Clinical Center Tuzla (UKC Tuzla), Prof. Dr. Šekib Umihanić, welcomed the Vice President of RS, Ćamil Duraković, during an official visit to the institution.
The meeting focused on the ongoing cooperation and support that UKC Tuzla provides to the returnee population from the territory of the RS entity. Vice President Duraković expressed his sincere gratitude to the management of UKC Tuzla, particularly Director Umihanić, for their professionalism, dedication, and humanity in delivering healthcare services to returnees. He emphasized that such support is of great importance for improving the quality of life of this population.
Director Umihanić highlighted that the healthcare of returnees residing in municipalities within RS is financed from the budget of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the Federal Ministry of Health and the Health Insurance and Reinsurance Institute of FBiH. However, he pointed out that current funding allocations do not adequately reflect the actual costs of treatment. He added that requests for increased funding have been submitted to the relevant institutions on several occasions, but have yet to receive a positive response.
Despite financial challenges and a lack of institutional understanding, the UKC Tuzla has continued to provide uninterrupted healthcare services to returnees, emphasizing that this represents both a moral and professional obligation toward people who have returned to their homes.
“We will continue to do everything within our capacity, but we expect the competent institutions to recognize and seriously address the need for stable and sustainable financing of these services for the returnee population in RS” said Director Umihanić.
Vice President Duraković particularly commended the dedication of the medical staff of the UKC Tuzla in humanitarian activities, including the provision of free specialist examinations at the EMMAUS clinic in Potočari, as well as their significant support during the July 11 commemoration, the Day of Remembrance of the genocide against Bosniaks in Srebrenica, a former UN- protected area.
He added that returnees speak of the UKC Tuzla with great respect, recalling that the institution, under the leadership of Director Umihanić, was awarded the Plaque of the Municipality of Srebrenica in recognition of its contribution to the local community.
