PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONS IN MANAGEMENT OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES IN THE FEDERATION OF BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA IN THE LIGHT OF WHO HEARTS STANDARDS AS A MODEL OF GOOD PRACTICE

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this paper is to assess the current role and influence of the public health interventions involved in Cardiovascular disease (CVDs) management in the Federation of B&H, in line with international good practice. Introduction: CVDs remain the main public health challenge all over the globe, as a result of interactions among individual, metabolic, behavioural and environmental risk factors. Methods: assessment of recommendations defined in the WHO HEARTS technical package for CVDs management in PHC from 2016, in the light of results of the current public health interventions of CVDs management in the Federation of B&H. Results: WHO HEARTS is a technical package composed of strategic and operational measures aimed to reduce the number of premature deaths from CVDs. The paper assesses the latest public health interventions in the Federation of B&H involved in CVDs management and its review in line with six WHO HEARTS package elements such as: healthy lifestyle, evidence based treatment protocols, access to essential medicines and technology, risk-based management, team care, task-sharing and systems for monitoring. Conclusion: Major part of WHO HEARTS standards for CVDs management is partially implemented in the Federation of B&H. Current morbidity and mortality rates of CVDs represent the evidence for the need of a more active involvement of public health interventions in CVDs management in the Federation of B&H.