EU experts: BiH must reform organ transplant system to meet EU standards

The analysis, initiated by the EU Delegation to BiH and supported by the Ministry of Civil Affairs, marks the first step in evaluating BiH’s readiness for EU accession talks. As part of the upcoming “screening” phase, the EU will assess the country’s legal and institutional compatibility with the EU acquis.

Although healthcare falls under the jurisdiction of entities, cantons, and the Brcko District, the Ministry of Civil Affairs has relaunched efforts—after a 14-year hiatus—to initiate BiH’s accession to Eurotransplant. This move signals a coordinated national approach to international cooperation in transplant medicine.

Experts highlight significant inconsistencies in transplant legislation across the entities, resulting in operational challenges and unequal treatment. The report stresses the need for harmonised rules on informed consent, brain death criteria, donor protection, organ allocation, and the management of waiting lists.

Key recommendations include adopting a national law aligned with EU directives, establishing a unified digital registry for consent, creating a central transplant coordination body, and implementing regular audits and inspections of hospitals and transplant centres.

The report also proposes a funding model in which all donation-related costs are fully covered by the healthcare system, ensuring no financial burden on donors or their families. Hospitals would finance transplant procedures themselves through existing insurance funds.

BiH is encouraged to adopt best practices from countries like Croatia, Spain, and Portugal, where strong legislation and coordinated institutional roles have led to successful transplant systems.

Minister of Civil Affairs Dubravka Bosnjak affirmed continued ministry support but stressed that real progress requires full commitment from entity-level health authorities. “Only a joint approach can deliver a system based on safety, equality, and hope. By adopting these recommendations, BiH affirms that health is priceless and that EU standards must shape every future reform,” Bosnjak said.