Our Mission

1.1. The Health and Heart Foundation has been founded in Banjaluka in August 1999, in cooperation with European network of foundations gathered in the European Heart Network (EHN), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republic of Srpska. Our goal is to support progress of health on the whole, and specially to support projects for prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina and countries of southeast Europe.

1.2. In June 2000 the Foundation of Health and Heart has become a valid member of EHN, which gathers all national organizations (Foundations, Associations, Societies) that are in prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in Europe.
The mission of EHN is to be a leader in conducting, cooperating and supporting activities for prevention and reduction of CVD so that CVD is no more a major cause of mortality and disability throughout Europe.

1.3. In November 1999, the Foundation of Health and Heart has started cooperation with the World Heart Federation (WHF) by the means of conducting programs and activities that are realized in World Community.
In May 2003, the Foundation of Health and Heart has become a valid member of the WHF as a legitimate representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a coordination partner of southeast Europe.
The WHF is committed to helping the global population to achieve a longer and better life through prevention of CVD, with a focus on low and middle-income countries. It is comprised of 180 medical societies and heart charities from 100 countries.

1.4. The Foundation of Health and Heart is supporting activities that are taken by the Program for prevention of CVD, in order to stop the increase of CVD mortality. In 1996, the CVD mortality was 50 % in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 56.7 % in Republic of Srpska. Considering that prevention of CVD is a major factor in improvement of public health, especially in southeast Europe where no organized activities have been conducted, European institutions are willing to organize a continuous Project "Education of Doctors and Population in Prevention of CVD", in cooperation with the Foundation of Health and Heart
The First Seminar on prevention of CVD took place in 2000, in the same way as in European Union, and 50 doctors from all health organizations in Republic of Srpska were present. The newest European recommendations for prevention of CVD were promoted and professionally presented on this Seminar, in the organization of the Foundation of Health and Heart. In that way, we joined to the organized work of all EU countries. During 2003, six regional Seminars were organized in cooperation with Medical Faculties and Health Insurance Fund, with participation of 180 doctors from all Health Centers. In that way network of educated doctors and their patients (''Doctor and Patient'') was created and they will continuously work on conducting measures for prevention of CVD and continuously support the authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, it's entities, cantons and towns to provide conditions for realization of the Program ''Prevention of cardiovascular disease'' (legal obligations/ adopting the National Program/adequate budget).

1.5. The mission of the Foundation of Health and Heart is to timely and professionally organize the conduction of the Program for Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases, approved by the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Heart Federation (WHF), the European Society of Cardiology (ESC), and in cooperation with the European Heart Network (EHN) and all it's members from different countries of the European Union.

1.6. The Foundation of Health and Heart pays a special attention to cooperation with International and European Universities and with all heading corporations that organize research, development and production of modern health care products.