Priorities for medium-term development in the health sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina (BH) has achieved significant progress in rehabilitating its health sector. Much of the success was due to the Government commitment and technical and financial support from a number of non-governmental organizations, bilateral donors, and international development agencies. By the end of 1997, an estimated US$172 million had been committed by various donors, mainly in support of the rehabilitation of war victims, emergency health services, and the restoration of a part of the health service infrastructure to a functional status (1). The World Bank, as a part of this effort, supports the post-war reconstruction and development through the War Victims Rehabilitation Project and the Essential Hospital Services Project (2). The completion of the ongoing activities of Government and partner agencies will result in the accomplishment of most of the goals of emergency reconstruction: preventing further deterioration in health services and mitigating the effects of war on avoidable illnesses, disabilities, and premature deaths. Major challenges remain, principally the absence of a sustainable health care financing system and continuing weaknesses in the primary health care and public health. This letter examines these two issues and outlines the principles that will guide the Bank’s continued support to the health sector of Bosnia and Herzegovina in cooperation with Government and partner agencies.