The Una-Sana Canton is facing significant challenges in its healthcare sector as a continuous outflow of medical personnel threatens to destabilize the system. Although a salary increase last year temporarily alleviated staffing issues, rising inflation and the increasing cost of living have reignited uncertainty and dissatisfaction among healthcare workers, prompting many to consider leaving again.

Health centres across the canton are now holding permanent hiring calls for doctors and medical technicians. Yet, even larger centers, like those in Cazin and Bihac, struggle to fill vacancies, while smaller facilities face even greater difficulties, especially in recruiting experienced medical staff.

“Wherever our healthcare workers go, they impress their employers, who then work hard to keep them with competitive salaries,” Elvir Hrustanovic, president of the Una-Sana Canton Healthcare Workers’ Union explained.

Despite last year’s modest increase in wages, daily increases in living expenses have once again sparked dissatisfaction and driven many to seek opportunities in European Union countries.

“Last year, we made some progress with the salary increase, which slowed departures and even made some think of returning,” Hrustanovic adds. “However, with inflation and the economic crisis now adding pressure, we’re back to square one, and we’re again seeing signs of workers wanting to leave.”

The trend is not limited to migration to Slovenia, Austria, and Germany. Increasingly, healthcare workers are also moving to private healthcare institutions within Bosnia and Herzegovina, which offer better equipment, improved working conditions, and more competitive pay.

“It’s always a tough battle. Our healthcare workers often think, ‘As long as the paycheck is regular, even if it's not much.’ However, the current cost of living far outstrips healthcare workers’ salaries, and personally, I believe this situation is neither sustainable nor satisfactory,” emphasizes Hrustanovic.

Unless urgent and concrete measures are taken to improve working conditions and secure higher salaries, Hrustanovic warns that the Una-Sana Canton may soon face a critical shortage of remaining medical staff essential to maintaining a functional healthcare system.