Bosnia Ombudsman warns of severe vulnerabilities in elderly institutional care

A preliminary investigation conducted alongside the United Nations Population Fund revealed that key challenges stem from regulatory inconsistencies, disjointed oversight, and ambiguous legal statuses for care homes. The warning comes as demand rises steeply, with residents entering care at an advanced age with complex conditions. Between 60 and 70 per cent of residents are immobile or semi-mobile, with the average age exceeding 80 years.

The investigation highlighted a stark disparity between public and private providers. Whilst public institutions operate in aging, purpose-built structures constrained by rigid public sector rules, private providers have expanded rapidly without facing equivalent scrutiny. Authorities frequently lack updated records, allowing numerous private operations to function completely outside formal state supervision. Furthermore, inspection capabilities are severely constrained. For instance, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina lacks dedicated social protection inspectors entirely, whilst individual cantons maintain at most a single inspector.

These regulatory failures are particularly acute in Tuzla Canton. Alongside several unregistered private facilities operating without oversight, the municipality-founded Retirement Home in Tuzla has functioned without an occupancy permit since its construction shortly before the war. Years of administrative neglect by both municipal and cantonal authorities have transformed the once-respected home into a high-risk facility, even following recent attempts by the regional ministry to intervene after a tragedy on the premises.

The Human Rights Ombudsman have called upon competent authorities across Bosnia and Herzegovina to implement immediate, coordinated measures to rectify these systemic flaws, urging Tuzla Canton officials to prioritize strict oversight of illegal facilities and restore lawful operating conditions at the public retirement home.