“As soon as you notice any changes, consult the experts!”

Thanks to the newly established Early Childhood Development Centre at the Starčevica Ambulanta of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Banja Luka, children and parents can finally access all necessary services in one place. The new Centre, funded with the support of the European Union, will offer early detection and intervention services for children up to the age of six, delivered by a multidisciplinary team of experts.

“For us parents, the opening of this Centre is a truly important and meaningful event. When you have a child with difficulties, it’s crucial to be able to come to one place for a full evaluation, with experts from all relevant fields. I believe all parents who notice any changes in their children should reach out to professionals as early as possible, without delay or shame. That way, they can help their child overcome the challenges they face,” says Anđela Karanović, mother of a four-year-old who uses early childhood development services.

Director of the Banja Luka Health Centre, Nevena Todorović, explains that the Centre will bring together a child psychiatry specialist, speech therapist, special education teacher, psychologist, and a certified nurse:

“With the support of UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, our team will undergo specialized training in early childhood development, becoming even more qualified to include children in treatment and provide the necessary care,” says Todorović, adding that pediatricians from other clinics will now have a referral point for children with developmental concerns:

“In cases where developmental delays are observed, children will be referred to our Centre for additional assessment and expert opinion, and included in a treatment plan if needed, based on a joint evaluation by all professionals. This centralized approach will be a great help and relief for parents.”

Some of the services provided will be covered by the Health Insurance Fund through its service list, while those not yet included will be financed by the City of Banja Luka:

“We expect the Ministry and the Fund to expand the range of services offered by early childhood development centres to match real needs. I believe we will manage to meet all challenges and create a centre that is self-sustainable and serves as a model for others that will open in Republika Srpska, alongside our colleagues in the Federation of BiH who already operate such centres.”

Milada Šukalo, advisor to the Mayor of Banja Luka, emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting families with children who have developmental difficulties, through various measures, activities and the introduction of new extended rights in the area of social protection:

“Investing in early childhood growth and development is investing in our future. We have shown that when we come together around a common cause, we can achieve results that matter most to our citizens and families,” says Šukalo, highlighting the importance of donor and partner support:

“I hope this project will only be a starting point – our partners have helped us launch it, and our ultimate goal is to make these services fully functional and sustainable. As the City of Banja Luka, we will stand firmly behind our Health Centre.”

Assistant Minister of Health and Social Welfare of Republika Srpska, Milan Latinović, states that the Ministry, through the 2022–2028 Early Childhood Development Program, is committed to supporting health and social care institutions, early and primary education, parents, partners, and the media in building a holistic and integrated early childhood development system:

“The decision to place the Centre in Starčevica—a Banja Luka neighborhood with the highest number of young couples and small children—is commendable. I believe it will meet citizens’ expectations regarding care for young children. This Centre is another in the network across RS providing timely detection and early intervention, with continued support from our UNICEF BiH partners, who have also been instrumental in vaccination, nutrition, early development, child mental health, and many other areas.”

The opening of the Centre is part of the broader project “EU Support to Health Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina”, financed by the European Union with a total value of €7.2 million. The project is implemented by UNICEF in BiH in partnership with local authorities, aiming to build a resilient and user-friendly primary healthcare system. Additional Centres will soon open in Prijedor, Bijeljina and Doboj, while Centres in Vogošća and Saraj Polje are already operational. This national network strengthens early detection and intervention services, offering more children timely support at critical developmental stages.

“Early detection and intervention can have a profoundly positive impact on the lives of children and their families. This new Centre is an important step in creating a safe and supportive environment where children’s needs can be recognized and addressed. We are proud to collaborate with UNICEF and local authorities to ensure that all children, especially the most vulnerable, have access to quality healthcare,” said Karel Lizerot, Head of the Justice, Home Affairs, Migration and Public Administration Reform Section at the EU Delegation to BiH.

Alexandra Illmer, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in BiH, emphasizes that strong evidence shows quality early childhood interventions lead to healthier lives, better education outcomes, and stronger societies:

“The services offered here—early detection, developmental support, and family counseling—are essential for timely recognition and response, ensuring children have a real chance to thrive. This Centre is the result of years of collaboration and policy development that integrates health, education and social protection, delivering comprehensive care for children aged 0 to 6. With trained staff and an established intersectoral referral system, we are ensuring that no child is left behind.”