First meeting of the working group for development of the roadmap for development of nursing profession in Bosnia and Herzegovina, jointly organized by Fami Foundation, Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, was held in Vitez.

This meeting is an official start of the process of developing one of the most important strategic documents for the improvement of the nursing profession, with a goal to establish a clear, coordinated and long-term sustainable framework for the development of nursing within the health systems in BiH.

The Roadmap is a comprehensive strategic document that will define the medium-term and long-term guidelines for the development of the nursing profession, with a special focus on strengthening the role of nurses in primary health care, improving community nursing, as well as strengthening their position in multidisciplinary teams.

During the meeting, the members of the working group brought up the key topics for discussion that will form the basis of the future document. The discussion focused on improving the legal and regulatory framework, modernizing the education system, developing models for continuous professional development, standardizing nursing practice, and planning, managing, and retaining nursing workforce.

Special attention was given to strengthening the institutional and professional capacities of all relevant stakeholders, interinstitutional cooperation and the need to create stronger links between policies, practices and population needs.

The purpose of the Roadmap is to create a joint strategic vision for the development of nursing, with clearly defined priorities, measures, responsibilities and timeframes for their implementation. The document will represent a basis for future reform processes, policymaking, and investments planning in the nursing profession at all levels of healthcare.

The participants at the meeting agreed that strengthening nursing is one of the key prerequisites for improving the quality, accessibility and sustainability of health services and that systemic support to this profession is an investment in patient safety and well-being.

The first meeting of the working group represents the beginning of a structured, inclusive and partnership process, intended to contribute to a stronger, more visible and long-term sustainable development of the nursing profession in Bosnia and Herzegovina.