Database for better cooperation of government institutions and nongovernmental organizations

Sarajevo, 10 December 2013 – Association Partnerships in Health promoted the database of CSO working in the health sector oriented at identifying organizations that have the capacity and fulfil the criteria for cooperation with government institutions.

As emphasized on the press conference, organized for this occasion, all nongovernmental organizations working in the health sector may register on the website www.sjz.ba. The data will be usefull to government institutions and CSOs for selecting partners in future projects.

Aside from the database, the „Study - Existing mechanisms and legal framework for CSO participation in the Health sector" was also promoted on this occasion. Haris Karabegović, project coordinator with Association Partnerships in Health, stated that the study covers 50 legal acts and subordinate regulations, strategies, policies and action plans on all levels of government.

„For the first time, we have all laws regarding cooperation of government institutions and nongovernmental organizations mapped in one document. This study will be the starting point for providing guidance on drafting mechanisms for cooperation of NGOs and government institutions, which our county truly needs", emphasized Mr. Karabegović.

Association Partnerships in Health also launched website www.hivtestiranjebih.com, as a contribution to prevention of spread of HIV in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The website contains information on centers for free, voluntary and confidential counseling and testing in B&H, information on the process of testing, counseling before and after testing, as well as basic facts about HIV and AIDS.

„In this way, Partnerships in Health enabled easier long term access to information on free HIV testing, as well as early detection and medical treatment of people infected with HIV. Treatment with the latest medications available in Bosnia and Herzegovina, if HIV virus is detected in time, enables people living with HIV to lead a normal and productive life", Mr. Karabegović stated.

Mr. Karabegović also announces the regional conference on HIV and AIDS, which will be held in Sarajevo on 29 and 30 May next year. The conference is expected to gather more than 200 doctors and medical workers, representatives of pharmaceutical companies, NGOs, UN agencies staff and people living with HIV, AIDS and HCV.