Mayor of Sarajevo Benjamina Karić today in the City Hall presented certificates to doctors Ettore Pedretti, Senka Dinarević Mesihović and Aida Sejdić Melezović who, since 2002, moved to Italy and did surgery on 72 children all over Bosnia and Herzegovina for free.
“Today, in the presence of children and parents, in the City Hall, I presented certificates of thanks to Ettore Pedretta, Senka Dinarević Mesihović and Aida Sejdić Melezović. Thank you on behalf of all Sarajevans, on behalf of all Bosnians and Herzegovinians because you saved the lives of the most valuable thing we have, our children. I think we should all know about this noble story,” said Benjamina.
In 2001, Ettore Pedretti and Aida Sejdić-Melezović started the realization of the idea of organizing help for children with congenital heart defects from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The idea was for the doctor to secure funds and examinations in Italy, and for Aida to coordinate with doctors in BiH, organize visas, necessary documentation and transport of patients, and accommodation for children and parents. All activities since 2001 have been carried out on a humanitarian-volunteer basis.
Sarajevo mayor said that by establishing contact with Senka Dinarević-Mesihović in 2002, the foundations were laid for a project that continues to this day and where joint work and activities ensured treatment – examinations and operations – for 72 children from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The organizations Fiorenzuola Oltre i Confini and Bambino Cardiopatico Piacenza, as well as a large number of volunteers and members of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gave their great contribution in ensuring the conditions for the stay of parents and children in Italy’s community in Piacenza. Operative procedures were carried out in the largest number at the Sant Orsola clinic in Bologna, and in Modena, Parma and Milan.
“Treatment costs were covered from the funds of the Emilia Romagna region, and assistance in the transportation of emergency cases was provided by the Sarajevo Canton Ambulance and EUFOR. Once again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you,” said the Mayor of Sarajevo.
