The citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina are in 2023. year for health care set aside more than 4.4 billion convertible marks, and almost a third of that amount, 1.4 billion KM, paid directly from their pocket. At the same time, the state for the prevention of the disease allocates only 1.4 percent of the total health consumption, shows the data of the BiH Statistical Agency.
Furthermore, 69 percent of health costs fund public sources, therefore state and entity budgets and funds, while the remaining 31 percent fall to private expenses. But what is particularly worries is that from that private part is as much as 99 percent directly from household pockets, through payments for medicines, reviews, participation and urgent insurance services.
In a country where health care is legally mandatory and where the state should take care of the health of their citizens, the figures show a different story. Almost non-existent role of voluntary health insurance, which participate with only one percent of private costs, means that most people have no additional security.
The most sensitive link system – prevention is compromised. For vaccination, early diagnosis, education and other preventive programs, only 1.4 percent of total health funds have been allocated. This is the amount that can only cause concerns because the prevention is what can reduce heavy diseases, shorten waiting lists and preserve lives.
Most of the money goes to treatment and rehabilitation. Hospitals are the main consumers of funds with about 38 percent of total consumption. The following are ambulances and pharmacies with an additional 27 percent. It is clear that the system reacts more to illness than is ready to prevent it.
This distribution of costs sends a strong message: Health in BiH is too expensive, uneven and puts a huge burden on citizens. Many face financial dilemmas whether to treat or save for basic living needs, writes Noise.
