Health for Every Child

Brothers Kenan and Anes are in the third grade of elementary school in Kakanj. They like math the most, have top grades in it, and when they grow up, they want to be policemen. Together with their father Suvad, they came to the creative corner of the Kakanj Health Center, organized on the occasion of Health Day in the Roma community. There they spent time with other children, learned about healthy eating, hygiene and dental health through drawing and educational games, and also went through some important preventive health check-ups.

“It is important to eat healthy food, especially fruits and vegetables, and to have healthy teeth,” they told us while coloring pictures, circling healthy foods and crossing out unhealthy ones.

“As a parent, I am very satisfied with this event. I am glad to see that there is care for our children, that they can come, get examined, and receive advice, because children’s health should come before anything else,” says Kenan and Anes’s father, Suvad Čelić.

In the creative corner before dental and other check-ups we also met Aiša. She is in the second grade of elementary school and says she especially looked forward to visiting the dentist so she could proudly show how she brushes her teeth:

“When I was little, I didn’t brush my teeth, so some of them went bad, but now that I’m older I brush them regularly,” Aiša told us, while her mother Sedina Hadrović said she was glad her daughter had the chance to go through important examinations in a fun way, while she herself received useful advice and recommendations.

Working with the children in the creative corner was Azra Husković from the School Hygiene Service of the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica. She said the program was especially engaging for the children because it was tailored to their age:

“In the creative workshops, they learned to recognize healthy and unhealthy foods, and through play understood the importance of proper nutrition. A special emphasis was placed on oral health – through a demonstration of brushing teeth, the little ones learned how to properly maintain hygiene, and the workshop also served as preparation for the dental check-up that followed,” Husković explained.

Amira Silajdžić from Kakanj said she heard about the event on the local radio, so she came with her sons Hamza, who is in kindergarten, and Džanan, a third-grader.

“I was driving in my car and heard the announcement on the radio. I thought how great it would be if we checked on our children preventively more often, not just when they are sick or when it’s time for vaccines, so I was happy to respond. It is especially important to me that they will be examined by a physiatrist and that we can check their vision and hearing,” Amira said.

Almira Ramić said she was invited through the school her oldest son Anid attends, so she also brought her younger children, Imran and Maira:

“I am glad they are here, that they learn something, play with other children, and have their check-ups,” she said.

In addition to dental exams, the youngest children were also examined for their spine and feet, their vision was checked, anthropometric measurements and other preventive examinations were carried out. Older attendees had their blood pressure checked, blood sugar measured, and could receive advice from an internist. Parents were able to check their children’s vaccination status, get information and appointments, and those who wanted to could vaccinate their children on the spot.

“Vaccines are good, they protect us from disease,” said 13-year-old Faris proudly, showing the plaster on his shoulder after being vaccinated, while his peer Mejra also proudly showed hers.

Health Day in the Roma community, open to all parents and every child, was organized by UNICEF BiH, the Roma Support Center “Romalen”, the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica, the Kakanj Health Center, with the support of the Municipality of Kakanj.

Mujo Fafulić, Executive Director of the Roma Support Center “Romalen”, said this was the first time that Health Day was held in Kakanj:

“Turnout and attendance were truly excellent, and this activity showed how important it is to bring prevention closer to everyone in the community. We are satisfied with all the health services provided today at the Health Center, and I hope that in the future such events will be more frequent, so that even more citizens can make use of the services,” Fafulić said, underlining the inclusiveness of the event:

“It is especially important to us that all citizens were invited and responded today, not only the Roma community, because the goal is for prevention and care for health to become a shared value, and to show that health institutions care for everyone equally.”

Dr. Selvedina Sarajlić-Spahić from the Institute for Health and Food Safety Zenica said the event was of great significance for everyone:

“Children and parents from the entire community took part, which shows inclusion and togetherness without stigmatization. This activity sends a strong message that everyone is welcome and that we are ready to address their health needs, which is why the Health Center was chosen as the venue. We plan to continue through projects that will further ensure health protection for all, with a special focus on children from the Roma community.”

Nisvet Trako, Director of the Kakanj Health Center, also expressed great satisfaction with the turnout and the fact that his institution was part of such an initiative:

“It is important for children, but also adults, to adopt proper habits. After the pandemic, vaccination rates dropped, and through activities like this, which we conduct at the Health Center, we want to increase coverage but also more broadly raise awareness about the importance of taking care of one’s health and preventing vaccine-preventable diseases. Such events are an excellent opportunity to step into the community, bring important messages closer to people, and raise awareness together.”

Since 2019, in partnership with the “Romalen” Center, UNICEF has been developing innovative approaches to improve health and increase vaccination coverage. The common goal is to strengthen community trust, bring health services closer to families, and ensure that every child has the right to health and access to vaccines.

“The preventive check-ups and consultations offered here today to children and families are a concrete example of how local health institutions can contribute to better protection and prevention. This model shows that when the community and health system work together, children get the protection they need,” said Jela Aćimović, Head of Health at UNICEF BiH.