A three - day conference "Nursing - the Heart of Health" dedicated to the improvement of nursing profession was held in Neum. The conference brought together nurse leaders from all health institutions in BIH to discuss ways to respond to global and domestic challenges in healthcare by further strengthening the nursing profession.

The conference was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, in cooperation with Fami Foundation, under the "Strengthening Nursing in BIH" project (ProSes) funded by the Government of Switzerland.

There are approximately 20000 nurses in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representing the pillar of the healthcare workforce. They are most often the first point of contact with the healthcare system, providing care and support in the most challenging moments of life. In the context of global challenges - such as aging population, increase in chronic diseases, pandemics and limited resources - strengthening the nursing workforce becomes imperative.

The establishment of a register of the nursing workforce, which the entity ministries of health work jointly on, was also discussed at the conference as a basis for better planning and human resources management. Furthermore, the need for greater involvement of nurses in decision-making and management processes in the health sector was emphasized.

A special focus was placed on the issues of migration, which can be mitigated by the improvement of working conditions and the systemic recognition of their role. Education, professional development and specialist programs that ensure the knowledge and competences necessary to provide quality and safe care were also discussed.

The new era of nursing also includes expanded roles and wider scope of practice, which requires modernization of legislative framework and investment in models of care managed by nurses.

The conference topics were in line with the global trends of the development of nursing and they followed up on this year’s message of International Nurses Day, which emphasized the importance of nurturing the health and well-being of the nurse as the foundation of stronger and more resilient health systems.

"We believe that investing in health and the nursing profession is crucial for the development of the country. For more than 20 years, we have been the largest bilateral donor supporting reforms in primary health care in BIH. We are committed to ensuring that everyone, especially the most vulnerable, can receive the health care they need. We share Swiss experience and expertise, including the Swiss model of community nursing. Through close cooperation with the entity ministries of health, we will continue to support the strengthening of primary health care across the country, building a resilient nursing workforce, and encouraging people to adopt healthier lifestyles," said Gabriele Derighetti, Ambassador of Switzerland to BIH.

Dr. Nediljko Rimac, Federal Minister of Health emphasized: “Nurses are the key pillar of our healthcare system. Their role is not only operational but also profoundly human - they are on the front lines of patient care every day, often working under great pressure and in complex conditions. That is why it is our obligation to view nursing not merely as a profession, but as a strategic priority of health policies. By improving education, strengthening professional status, improving working conditions and ensuring systemic support, we strive to create an environment where nurses will be able to provide the best possible care. This conference is important as it opens up a space for dialogue, exchange of experiences and creation of concrete solutions. The Federal Ministry of Health will continue to put efforts in the strengthening nursing profession, because without strong nursing, there is neither quality nor sustainable healthcare. I would also like to emphasize the importance of the joint statement that we, representatives of all competent institutions in the field of healthcare in Bosnia and Herzegovina signed here in Neum. By this act, we all together confirm that nurses represent the foundation of quality, accessible and safe healthcare”.

Dr. Alen Seranic, Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska said: “A strong nursing profession can significantly contribute to improvement of healthcare services and quality of patients’ lives. Treatment outcomes often depend on the quality of nursing care. We believe that investing in human resources is one of the most effective ways to achieve our common goal: recognized and respected nursing profession that provides quality healthcare services to citizens. Much has already been accomplished in Republika Srpska to improve and transform nursing - from creating a legal framework, standardizing nursing care, and organizing nursing documentation, training nurses and improving their professional competencies, to creation of a single nursing workforce registry. We will continue with many of these activities, and we demonstrated our commitment here in Neum by signing the joint statement at the Conference of Ministers of Health in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.

Eldin Fisekovic, Project Manager pointed out: "Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project in partnership with relevant institutions is working to improve competencies, professional standards and reinforce recognition of the key role of nurses in the health system. Our shared vision is a health system in which nurses will receive strong institutional support, have continuous opportunities for professional development and a well-deserved voice in the decision making process. Investment in nursing is not just an investment in a profession - it is strategic investment in the health and well-being of our communities".