Action plans for community nursing improvement were presented to representatives of nine municipalities in Tuzla Canton today. These municipalities, Gradacac, Kalesija, Kladanj, Doboj Istok, Lukavac, Banovici, Zivinice, Srebrenik and Teocak, actively cooperated with the Cantonal Public Health Institute in Tuzla Canton in the development of these documents over the past months. The local communities’ health and social sectors representatives, along with the users of healthcare and social services were involved in the implementation process.

The action plans represent an important instrument in improving community nursing model, which will improve the availability and quality of services for all citizens, especially vulnerable and socially excluded groups.

The plans include:
• Socio-medical diagnostics at the local community level,
• Review of existing capacities and resources of primary health care centers,
• Identification of key problems in accessing health and social services,
• Proposals for specific measures and activities to improve community nursing services.

During the presentation, it was emphasized that these documents are the result of joint work of experts in the field of health, social services and public health, in coordination with and methodological support from Fami Foundation within Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project.

Representatives of Fami Foundation emphasized the importance of continuous support to municipalities in the next phase – during the action plans’ implementation process, which will enable better planning, coordination and sustainability of community nursing services.

"Joint engagement of local and health institutions and the community creates conditions for more accessible and better quality healthcare closer to citizens. Action plans are the foundation for systemic strengthening of the nurses’ role in provision of community nursing services", it was emphasized during the presentation.