Delivery of medical services to different national groups during the war: an example from Bosnia and Herzegovina, 1991-2000.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the delivery of health services to different ethnic groups in the war and postwar periods in the area of Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina.


METHODS
The total population, percentages by nationality, and numbers of persons medically or surgically treated at the War and General Hospital of Livno between January 1991 and October 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic data from church, military, and local government archives of the Livno region were used.


RESULTS
In the prewar period (1991-1995), there had been living approximately 40,000 inhabitants (Croats, 75%; Moslems, 17%; Serbs, 8%) and 685,361 patients were treated (Croats, 46%; Moslems, 33%; Serbs, 21%). In the war period, 1590 patients were treated surgically (Croats, 78.5%; Moslems, 16.8%; Serbs, 4.7%). In the postwar period (1996-2000), surgery was performed for 3217 patients (Croats, 76.8%; Moslems, 19.3%; Serbs, 3.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
The constant numbers of patients of different nationalities treated during and after the war reveal that the medical staff worked in an ethical and highly professional manner.
Misic
Zarko
Z
Department of Gynecology, General Hospital Livno, Livno, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Mamic
Ivica
I
Krezo
Stipe
S
Plavec
Andrea
A
Vrdoljak
Sonja
S
Karelovic
Deni
D
D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D006708:Homicide; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013038:Specialization; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D014857:Warfare; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000601:surgery; D015022:Yugoslavia / Q000453:epidemiology