Conversations With Nurses and Technicians

Being a nurse-technician is not a job but a way of life, because every patient needs a hero.

Book Promotion

The book "Basics of Nursing Care" by
Ivona Ljevak and associates was promoted on March 22, 2024 at the Nursing
Faculty of the University of Mostar.

Training of Mentors

In cooperation with Federal Ministry of Health and Training Center of Primary Health Care Center Mostar, Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project organized additional training of mentors in community nursing.

International Congress

Some of the key results of Strengthening Nursing
in Bosnia and Herzegovina project were presented at the 3rd International HISPA
Congress in Bijeljina.

Signed Memorandums

Based on signed Memoranda of Understanding for the improvement of community nursing
services provision, primary health care centers in Gradiska, Kozarska Dubica, Kostajnica and Novi Grad will receive the necessary support, that is, furniture for nursing rooms, community nursing bags and training.

Training in Community Nursing

Theoretical part of the addition training in
community nursing for 26 participants from Canton Sarajevo and the Bosnia-Podrinje
Canton was launched on 6th February 2024.

Signed Memorandum of Understanding

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Fami Foundation and the Ministry of Health
of the Zenica-Doboj Canton was signed on January 15, 2024 in Zenica, as a part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project.

Theoretical Part of Additional Training Concluded

In collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and Zenica Primary Health Care Center (PHCC), as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, theoretical part of additional training in community nursing was completed.

Improvement of Community Nursing

Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project continues its activities to improve community nursing, this time in
Sarajevo Canton and Bosnia-Podrinje Canton.

Signed Memorandums

The second meeting of representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, management of primary health care centers, centers for social work, local authorities and the Fami Foundation.

Panel Discussion

A panel discussion was held at the Faculty of
Medicine Foca, to point out the importance of nursing associations in exercising professional and patient rights.

Training in Community Nursing

Additional training for nurses from 10 primary health care centers in Zenica-Doboj Canton officially started at the Training Center
of the Primary Health Care Center Zenica.

Signed Memorandums

Representatives of the local authorities from
Doboj, Derventa, Prnjavor and Teslic signed Memorandums of Understanding for
Improvement of Community Nursing Services with the directors of primary health
care centers and social welfare center.

Communication in Healthcare

Training "Communication in Healthcare"
for Head Nurses of Primary Health Care Center Canton Sarajevo, organized by Fami Foundation and the Federal Ministry of Health, was held in Sarajevo from 9 -12 November, 2023.

Theoretical and Practical Training for Nurses

The second part of the five-day additional
training in community nursing, supported by the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, was successfully completed in Mrkonjic Grad.

Workshop

Three groups of community nurses from Celinac,
MrkonjiC Grad and Knezevo municipalities took part in a workshop on the development of health promotion programs specific to their local communities.

Action Plan

An action plan for community nursing improvement in 10 municipalities of Zenica–Doboj Canton was presented at the round table
organized at the Training Center of Primary Health Care Center Zenica.

Theoretical and Practical Training for Nurses

Primary Health Care Center Celinac hosted the
first five-day part of supplementary training in community nursing supported by the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project.

Development of Management Skills in Nursing

Yet another training "Development of
management skills in nursing", organized jointly by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska and the Fami Foundation was held in Jahorina.

Development of Nurses Management
Skills

From August 31 to September 3, 2023 in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, four-day training on "Development of Management
Skills in Nursing" was held in Borje, near Teslic.

Working Groups for Validation of the Book of Competences

The Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and
Herzegovina project up to now, jointly with its 
partners, implemented a number of activities that are directly related to the development of the book of professional competencies in nursing.

Inter-professional and inter-institutional cooperation in community nursing

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika
Srpska, with the project’s support, organized in Primary Health Care Center Celinac the first out of three planned workshops for representatives of three municipalities in Republika Srpska: Celinac, Mrkonjic Grad and Knezevo.

Training for Nurses

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of
Republika Srpska, with the support of the project representatives, organized training for nurses from Nevesinje and Trebinje hospitals, as well as primary health care centers Trebinje, Nevesinje and Gacko.

Communication in Healthcare

The four-day training "Communication in Healthcare" for nurses, organized in Tomislavgrad as part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project, was successfully
completed.

Development of Management Skills in Nursing

From June 1-4, 2023 in cooperation with the
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, four-day training on "Development of Management Skills in Nursing" was held at "Sveti
Vracevi" Hospital in Bijeljina.

Communication in Healthcare

Another one in a series of training sessions "Communication in Healthcare" for head nurses of primary health care centers in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina was successfully held in Sarajevo, May 14-17, 2023, as a part of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project.

Marked May 12, the International Nurses Day

The main event marking May 12th, the International Nurses Day organized
by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska was held Trebinje.

Marked May 12, the International Nurses Day

May 12 - International Nurses Day was commemorated at the conference organized in
Sarajevo which brought together nurses, representatives of relevant ministries
and managers of health care facilities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and representatives of Fami Foundation.

Workshops/Public Consultations Held as a Part of the Selection Process
of 20 New Municipalities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina

In the coming four years, the ProSes project will establish cooperation with 20 new municipalities in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina to
support their efforts to introduce/improve community nursing services.

Workshop for the Selection of 13 new Health Centers from the Republika Srpska

The Strengthening Nursing in BiH project will continue, within Component B, activities on the expansion of the improved model of community nursing in new 13 municipalities in  
Republika Srpska.

Scholarships for Nursing Students from Underdeveloped and Extremely Underdeveloped Municipalities 

The last round of scholarships for nursing students from underdeveloped and
extremely underdeveloped municipalities ended this year with the awarding of
scholarships to 8 nurses.

End-of-phase Conference of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project 

In the period from 14-16 October 2022 a three-day conference titled “Nursing: One profession, many roles” took place in Sarajevo, to present project results and achievements so far.

Training of Nurses on Communication

Communication is one of the basic skills in
healthcare, which today has become not only a need but also an obligation of every healthcare worker.

The Sixth Round of Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Studies in Nursing

The sixth round of scholarships for master’s and doctoral studies in nursing ended this year with the awarding of scholarships to 9 nurses.

Handbooks in ePUB Format

Handbooks of standard operating procedures for download in ePUB format.

The International Scientific Conference

The International Scientific Conference Knowledge for Health - SANUS
2022 held in Prijedor on June 3 and 4, was organized by the School of Applied
Medical Sciences Prijedor in cooperation with the Academy of Applied Studies in
Belgrade.

International Nurses Day and Handbook
Presentation

On May 12, the International Nurses Day, the Handbooks with Standard Operating Procedures
(SOP) for nursing were presented in Brcko, in the House of Culture. The event was organized with the support of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, Federal Ministry of Health, Department of Health and other
services of the Brcko District Government and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

Transition Plan for Adjusting Qualifications of the Employees to Job Requirements in the Health Sector

At the session held on 10 February 2022 the Government of the Republika Srpska was
acquainted with and adopted the information on the development of the transition plan for adjusting qualifications of the employees to job
requirements in the health sector.

Establishment of Nursing Workforce Information System

At the session held on 10 February 2022 the Government of the Republika Srpska has
been acquainted and adopted the
information on the development of
nursing workforce information system.

Community Nursing Training
in Bihac and Trebinje

The Strengthening Nursing in BiH project continues to organize additional community nursing trainings for community nurses. Currently, after trainings held in Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) Zenica, Vitez, Derventa,
Prnjavor, Tesanj, Gracanica, Doboj and Teslic, the trainings for 29 nurses from the PHCCs Bihac and Trebinje are in progress.

The Fifth Round of Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Studies in Nursing

The fifth round of scholarships for master’s and
doctoral studies in nursing ended this year with the awarding of scholarships to 26 nurses.

Article in BMC Nursing

Modern and active learning methods form an important part in the education of nursing
students. They encourage the development of communication and critical thinking skills, and ensure the safe health care of patients.

Management of Diabetic Foot

Diabetes and its complications represent an increasing global challenge. „Management of
Diabetic Foot: ICRC Implementation Plan“ has been created to help clinical teams in the field to organize care for diabetic patients at primary health care/hospital and or physical
rehabilitation level.

Training of 10 Trainers in the Field of
Community Nursing Completed

In order to adequately care for the health of citizens belonging to their family medicine teams, nurses need comprehensive training in community nursing.

Statements of International Conferences on Health Promotion

It is widely believed that health promotion is a
cornerstone of primary health care, and that it is at the same time an essential role of
public health.

Working Visit to Slovenia

Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina - ProSes Project and the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia as a nursing regulatory body, organized a working visit
to the Republic of Slovenia in the period 22-26 June 2021.

One More Round of Clinical Mentors Training Completed

Due to the great interest and need, additional training round was organized for clinical skills mentors at nursing studies.

International
Nurses Day celebrated in BIH

On May 12, we celebrated the International Nurses Day throughout BiH, with the message: “Save one life and you are a hero. Save a hundred lives - you must be a nurse“.

Testimonials of ProSes Scholarship Holders at Master's and Doctoral Studies in Nursing

We asked the users of ProSes scholarships to share with us their experience of studying for master and doctoral degrees and their expectations regarding the development of the nursing profession in BIH.

Leading role of Nurse Associations in Continuous Professional Development and in the Crisis Situations Response

Continuous professional development is essential to maintain and improve individual competencies and nurse practice in general. Nurse associations play an important role in this providing to nurses the opportunities for professional development.

Personal stories of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic

We have asked nurses to share with us their experience of being and working as a nurse during the COVID-19 pandemic. These are
their stories.

Emergency Life Support Training

Early recognition of cardiac arrest and timely initiation of resuscitation can significantly improve the survival rate and outcomes for
the survived patients.

Training for Community Nurses in Derventa and Prnjavor Completed

The theoretical part of the training for 19 community nurse from the primary healthcare centres in Derventa and Prnjavor was completed in December 2020.

The Last Round of Scholarships for Master’s and Doctoral Studies in Nursing

The last round of scholarships for master’s and
doctoral studies in nursing ended this year with the awarding of scholarships to 20 nurses.

The Fifth Steering Committee (SC) Meeting

The fifth Steering Committee (SC) meeting in the second phase of the Strengthening Nursing in BiH project was held on November 30, 2020. For the first time, the meeting was held using an internet platform as one of the preventive measures against COVID-19 spread.

A Handbook with Standard Operating Procedures was Presented

The Handbook with standard operating procedures for nurses and technicians at the hospital level developed within the Project of strengthening nursing in BiH, with the
support of the Government of Switzerland,
was presented.

Educational Video: Work Procedures for
Community Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic

During the COVID 19 pandemic, community nurses have been engaged more than ever before, providing to the patients essential health
care services on the front lines. Concurrently, the importance of adequate personal protective equipment for health workers in their workplace became clear.

Quality Primary Health Care For All – short movie by the Swiss Embassy in BiH

Healthcare is always and everywhere the ultimate challenge! Quality primary healthcare for everyone is possible when we share a common goal and when WE PRESS FORWARD together!

Community nursing for better health outcomes – short BBC movie

Community Nurses supported by the ProSes in BIH have changed the lives of more than
100,000 families in BiH. Nurses are crucial to preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

IT equipment donated

The project has donated IT equipment to five higher education institutions with master’s study programs in nursing/health sciences in Banjaluka, East Sarajevo, Mostar,
Sarajevo and Zenica.

Protective equipment donated to community nurses

Community nurses continue to provide services to their patients in their homes, notably the most vulnerable patients. In order to continue working at full capacity during the current crisis, the nurses need adequate protection because each home visit requires the use of a new
set of equipment.

73rd World Health Assembly

At the 73rd WHO World Health Assembly held on May 18-19 this year, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) called on member states to take urgent action to collect and share data on COVID-19 infections and deaths amongst
health workers.

Celebration of
International Nurses Day 2020

International Nurses Day was special this year. The importance and the need to invest in the nursing profession is clearer than ever before, not only in BIH but in the whole world. The
Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project congratulated and sent
out the following message to nurses: „Once this is all over, we will remember that you were there
for us all“.

World Health Day

7 April 2020 is the day to celebrate the work of nurses and midwives and remind world leaders of the critical role they play in keeping the
world healthy.

Revised curriculum

Revised curriculum of Nursing Study Program at the University of Dzemal Bijedic.

Scholarships

In 2019, we granted scholarships to sixteen
nurses attending masters or doctoral studies at the public nursing faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).

Mentoring Visits

The last, fourth round of mentoring visits for
nurses in primary health care centers in Banja Luka, Bijeljina, Brcko, Livno, Mostar, Stari Grad Mostar, Odzak, Prijedor, Tomislavgrad and Tuzla has been completed.

Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) - Part II

The second part of the Handbook with Standard Operating Procedures in Primary Health Care for Community Nursing was presented in the
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Working Groups for Nursing Documentation Development

Nursing documentation is an integral part of the
patient medical record and nurses’ daily work.

Participation of BIH at 110th General Assembly of the European Federation of Nurses Associations (EFN)

The European Federation of Nurses Associations
(EFN) that includes 36 member countries, held its 110th General Assembly meeting in October 2019 in Athens (Greece).

Training of Clinical Mentors Concluded

Twenty nurses working as mentors at nine public nursing faculties in Bosnia and Herzegovina completed training for clinical mentors.  Upon the completion of training, the trainers
received certificates.

Congress of the International Council of Nurses

The international congress of nurses held in
Singapore from 27 June to 1 July 2019, welcomed more than 5300 nurses from over
150 countries.

Selected Members of the
Nurses Advisory Board

The vacancy for selection of members of the
Nurses Advisory Board is closed. The Steering Committee of the Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina project confirmed the following composition of the advisory body.

Participation in 12th International
Scientific Conference in Bled, Slovenia

ProSes representatives participated in the 12th
International Scientific Conference “Challenges and Needs of the Society in the Area of Prevention and Promotion of Health at all Levels of Health Care”, held on June 6 in Bled, Slovenia.

Working Groups for Nursing Documentation Development

Following the support of ProSes to entity
working groups to develop/amend existing rulebooks on the form and content of the basic medical documentation, the nursing documentation development process has
started.

Training of Trainers of Clinical Mentors

Clinical mentors – nurses employed at nursing
study departments at BIH public faculties, have an important role in training nursing students to apply practical knowledge and skills with patients.

International Nurses Day 2019

The International Nurses Day was celebrated on 12 May by BIH nurse associations, health and educational facilities, under the slogan “Nurses: a Voice to Lead – Health for All”.

Revised Curricula

Within ProSes formed entity Working Groups have finalized the process of aligning second study cycle nursing curricula with EU standards at six higher educational facilities.

Symposium

The 4th Symposium of Nurses was organized in
Brcko by the Brcko District Nurse Association „Medicinar“ on 15-17 March 2019.

Steering Committee

Second meeting of the ProSes Steering Committee in the second phase of the Strengthening Nursing in BIH Project was held in
Banja Luka on 21st March 2019.

Mentoring visits

Strengthening Nursing in BIH Project continues to support 10 municipalities that have
improved community nursing services during the project’s first phase.

Workshops on Gender and Health

In cooperation with the entity Gender Centers,  two workshops on gender and health were organized in February and March 2019.

Call for Applications

Within the Nursing Now global campaign, nursing students and nurses in practice for less
than five years, are invited to apply for free training in Geneva.

Additional Equipment

At the beginning of 2019, additional equipment for clinical skills cabinets for eight public, higher educational institutions in BIH and eight primary health care centers was purchased.

Conference

On the occasion of marking the 45th anniversary of the Faculty of Health Studies of the University of Sarajevo, an international conference entitled "Days of Health Science" was held on  19-20
 December 2018.

Conference

The conference, organized by the Gender Center - Center for Gender Equity and Equality of the Republika Srpska was held in
Banja Luka on 4 December 2018.

Symposium

The First Symposium of Nurses in the Federation
of Bosnia and Herzegovina took place on 26 – 28 October 2018.

International Conference

2nd International Conference
on primary health care in Astana, Kazakhstan, October 2018.

Working Groups

Three entity-level working groups devoted to the improvement of formal nursing education have been formed in the first year of project Phase 1.

Working Groups

During the first year of project Phase 2, entity-level working groups are given the task to develop an action plan for the implementation of the recommendations.

Working Groups

During summer 2018, the first meetings of the
three working groups of the project component related to improvement of the professional nurses’ environment were held in both entities.

Two-day Training Program for Mentors

Professional assistance at work, such as clinical
supervision and mentorship, has invaluable significance in education and practice of community nurses.

Sharing Experiences

Strengthening Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project (ProSes) has shared its experience of establishing / strengthening community nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina with the Republic of Moldova.

International Scientific Conference

The ProSes representatives participated at the 11th International Scientific Conference
“Inter-Professional Integration at Different Levels of Healthcare: Trends, Needs and Challenges” held on 7 June 2018 in Bled, Slovenia.

Working Visit

The “Medical Education Reforms-MER” project delegation from Kyrgyzstan visited Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) from 27 May to 1 June 2018.

Study Visit

“Health for All - HAP“ project delegation from Albania was in a study visit to Bosnia and Herzegovina and Fami Foundation from 14 -17 May 2018.

International Nurses Day

The International Nurses Day was marked by numerous nursing associations in BiH in different ways.

Regional Conference

Within the celebration of the International Nurses Day themed as “Nurses a Voice to Lead – Health is
a Human Right”, a regional conference was held in Hotel Park Doboj on 11 May 2018.

Sharing Stories

As part of the celebration of this year’s International Nurses Day (12th May 2018), with the theme “Nurses A Voice to Lead – Health is a Human right”, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) is inviting nurses from around the world to share their stories.

Global Campaign

The global campaign Nursing Now, aiming to raise the status and profile of nursing and midwifery around the world, was launched on 28 February 2018.

Switzerland and Supported Projects

Information on all projects supported  by the Government of Switzerland in Bosnia and Herzegovina can be found on the website of the Swiss Embassy in BiH.

Second Project Phase

Following the official approval of the second, four-year project phase in December 2017, the proposal of activity plan for 2018 was
prepared.

UNFPA Workshop

A representative of ProSes Aldina Bukva - Mahmutovic, Pillar Two Manager, participated in a two-day workshop on improving maternal health by implementing the methodology Beyond the Numbers, organized by United Nations Population Fund on 12-13 December 2017.

Certifikate Ceremony

Twenty nurses from the Healthcare Centre Brcko were presented certificates for successfully completed training in community nursing during a ceremony organized on 6 November 2017.

Conference

The results of the Phase 1 of the Strengthening of Nursing in Bosnia and Herzegovina Project were presented at a conference that was held
in Banjaluka from 22 - 23 November 2017.

Certificate Ceremony

During the ceremony organized on 23 November 2017, equipment worth 74’271 BAM was handed over to the Primary Health Care Centre
Banjaluka. It will serve for provision of improved community nursing services.

Certifikate Ceremony

The ceremony held in Mostar on 3 November 2017 marked the completion of project activities aimed to improve the quality and efficiency of
nursing care provided by primary health care (PHC) centres Mostar, Stari Grad Mostar, Tomislavgrad and Livno.