On Monday, October 23, at 12:00, in the premises of the BiH Academy of Sciences and Arts, there will be a promotion of the book One Hundred-Year Experience of Public Health in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1923 – 2023, authored by Arif Smajkić MD, honorary memeber of BHAAAS. The book is the result of many years of work and research by professor Smajkić, who is one of the founders and leaders of public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The book provides an overview of the development and achievements of public health in our country throughout the century, with a special emphasis on primary health care and family medicine. The book also contains numerous examples of successful control and eradication of infectious diseases, and it is interesting that it is divided into four parts, which cover different periods and aspects of public health in BiH.
The first part of the book deals with the beginnings of institutional public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina, from the establishment of the First Bacteriological Station in 1923, through hygiene institutes, to the Second World War.
The second part of the book focuses on the period from 1945 to 1992, when public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina was part of the system of socialist Yugoslavia. The author analyzes the organization, functions and activities of the republican and regional institutes for health care, as well as their contribution to improving the health of the population through preventive programs, epidemiological surveillance, sanitary inspection, social medicine and other areas.
The third part of the book refers to the period from 1992 to 2005, which was marked by the war, the breakup of Yugoslavia and the transition to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The author describes the impact of the war on the health of the population, as well as on the work and organization of public health institutions. Also, the author shows the efforts of the international community and domestic experts to restore and reform the health system in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as to establish new standards and principles of public health in accordance with the European Union and the World Health Organization.
The fourth part of the book deals with the period from 2005 to 2023, which is characterized by the further development and modernization of public health in BiH. The author presents the latest trends and challenges in the field of public health, such as health promotion, prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases, environmental protection, bioterrorism, pandemics and other crises.
The promoter and moderator of the book promotion will be a member of BHAAAS, professor and doctor Senka Mesihović – Dinarević, who is also an expert in public health and family medicine. She will present the book and its importance for the profession and the general public, and will lead a conversation with the author and the guests present.
The book One Hundred Years of Public Health Experience in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1923 – 2023 by Arif Smajkić is a valuable and comprehensive contribution to the history, theory and practice of public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which will be useful not only to experts and students in this field, but also to everyone who is interested for the health and well-being of people in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The book was published in 2023 on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of institutional public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The promotion of the book One Hundred-Year Experience of Public Health in Bosnia and Herzegovina 1923 – 2023 is an opportunity to learn about the rich history and achievements of public health in our country, and to hear the opinion of one of the greatest experts in this field. The promotion is open to all interested citizens.