In the Public Institution Cantonal Hospital Zenica (JU KB Zenica) at the beginning of this month, organ explantation from a brain-dead donor, aged 21 years, was successfully performed, which resulted in the first heart transplant in the history of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was performed in the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo.
After the diagnosis of brain death in the patient, the medical team of the Zenica General Hospital KB conducted an interview with the family of the deceased in order to obtain consent for organ donation, and after the family agreed, it was possible to carry out the transplant.
On this occasion, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo organized a conference for the media, and it was pointed out that this is a historic success for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s healthcare.
As they said, the 44-year-old patient who received a new heart left the hospital and successfully recovered.
“I would like to thank the donors a lot, I contacted the family to thank them for giving me a new life,” said Aldin Hajdarević, a heart transplant patient.
They emphasized that special thanks go to prof. Dr. Nermir Granov, who was the head of the team of doctors who performed the transplant.
“In 2022, we received permission to perform heart transplantation, but until now we did not have the opportunity to perform heart transplantation, because there were no donors. That’s why I would like to take the opportunity to thank the donors, they are true patriots when you, in the most difficult moment when you lose someone , who is most dear to you for your environment, help save several lives,” said Nermir Granov, the doctor at the head of the transplant team.
“In addition to my gratitude to the health professionals who participate in the transplant program, I express my special gratitude and respect to the families of the donors who, with their noble and selfless decision to donate organs, gave others a new life,” said Federal Minister of Health Dr. Nediljko Rimac.
He pointed out that the first heart transplant marked the beginning of a new transplant program in FBiH – the heart transplant program and represents an important step forward in efforts to improve the transplant program in the Federation of BiH.
According to Minister Rimac, the obligation of the health system, but also of society as a whole, is to promote organ donation, to educate the public on the importance of donation and transplantation with accurate information.
“Our task and goal must be the improvement and development of the transplantation medicine program in the FBiH, continuous and dedicated work to enable the citizens of the Federation to receive timely and high-quality transplant treatment in health facilities in the Federation, which will ultimately ensure that the countries of the region and international organizations recognize as an equal partner,” said Rimac.
This operation represents a turning point in the medical history of the country, opening new opportunities for the development of cardiovascular surgery in the region. The heart was transplanted to a patient who had been waiting a long time for this vital operation.
Patients who need organ transplants in BiH are on long waiting lists, and one of the reasons is the low awareness of citizens about the importance of organ donation.
This event represents an important step forward for the healthcare system of Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially in the field of transplant medicine, which faces numerous challenges due to limited resources and infrastructure. The success of this operation is the result of close cooperation between health institutions in Zenica and Sarajevo, as well as the dedication of the medical professionals involved in the procedure, BHRT writes.
