Beatriz Garlaschi in Sarajevo
The queues stretched a long way when Red Cross health volunteers offered free medical check-ups in Rakovica, in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
Hundreds flocked to the makeshift health centre at a local school as 13 doctors and four nurses volunteered to treat local residents who have suffered considerably over the past few years. One of the doctors involved was the president of the Red Cross Organisation of the Federation of BiH, Sadzida Rasidagic.
The initiative was much appreciated as BiH's health care system has not recovered from the war and still has difficulty meeting people's needs. Also for the people of Rakovica, the nearest hospital is 20km away and too expensive to reach for many. The majority of the population of this small town near Sarajevo are returnees who came back after the war to find their houses destroyed. Conditions remain harsh and there is little sanitation.
The Red Cross volunteers conducted 1,200 consultations - varying from general check-ups to dental care - in one day. The volunteers also visit vulnerable families and assess their most urgent needs in food, clothes and social support.
The check-ups are part of a countrywide Red Cross campaign, the main purpose of which is to prevent tuberculosis. "Even though there are no officially registered cases of this disease in the area, the prevention of it is one of our main tasks," says Doctor Seijfo, the programme coordinator.
"People here, including Red Cross volunteers, are still coping with difficult economic circumstances. In addition, many suffer from psychological problems caused by the war."
The campaign falls under the home care programme run by the two entity Red Cross organisations in BiH. The International Federation has supported the two organisations to assist 10,000 elderly people on a regular basis. The programme has also provided food, clothes and hygiene items. On average, Red Cross volunteers make 50,000 visits per month to the elderly. They also organise social gatherings and transport to health care institutions.
As part of its Appeal for 2001-2002, the International Federation is initially seeking 5,5 million Swiss francs to ensure the support to the newly-formed Red Cross Society of BiH. Out of this 1,75 million Swiss francs is needed to continue supporting the Health and Home Care programme activities this year.