Three Canadian Balkan health projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency hosted a delegation of Ministers from the governments of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia to attend and present at the Canadian Public Health Association's 2008 Annual Conference "Reducing Health Inequalities Through Evidence and Action" held in Halifax, Nova Scotia in June 2008. The delegation from Bosnia and Herzegovina included the Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sredoje Novic, Minister of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Safet Omerovic, the Minister of Health and Welfare of Republika Srpska, Ranko Skrbic, Assistant Minister of Civil Affairs, Drazenka Rados-Malicbegovic, Chief of Cabinet of the Minister of Health of Federation BiH, Jasmina Cosic and Assistant Minister of Health and Social Welfare in Republic of Srpska, Amela Lolic and Slavko Nikic, Head of the Department of Health in Disctrict Brcko. From Serbia, Ivana Misic, Assistant Minister of Health attended.

The Minister of Health and Social Welfare from RS, BiH, Dr. Ranko Skrbic, and Assistant Minister of Health from the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Ivana Misic, jointly delivered a presentation at the conference entitled "Primary Health Care Reform in the Balkans and the Contribution of Civil Society to Improve Access for Vulnerable Populations".  The well received presentation focused on lessons learned from health reform in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia with special mention of Canada's investments in the region.

As well as the conference, the delegation had a very busy schedule attending meetings in both Halifax and Ottawa to discuss challenges and opportunities in delivering primary health care that meets the needs of diverse and vulnerable populations. In Halifax, the delegation met with Deputy Ministers of Health and Health Promotion and Protection, to discuss the strategic planning exercise and health system transformation being undertaken by the province of Nova Scotia.  Dr. David Butler Jones, Canada's first Chief Public Health Officer, who heads the Public Health Agency of Canada discussed the public health challenges being faced by decision-makers at all levels of government.

The delegation also met with the senior management from the Capital Health Authority, adolescent psychiatrist, Dr. Stanley Kutcher and some participants also were able to attend an orientation to Nova Scotia’s Emergency Health Services – recognized internationally as a leader in the provision of pre-hospital care. Senator Lucie Pepin, whose career focused on issues of social justice and human rights advocacy, with a special emphasis on women and children, attended a dinner held for the delegation at Larry Nestman’s home and showed great interest in the activities of the young people in the Balkan Youth Health project, some of whom she had met in Ottawa in 2007.
The delegation took the opportunity in Ottawa to meet with Canadian organizations who served the interests of the provinces and association members across Canada. Meetings were held with the Public Health Agency of Canada, Health Canada, the Canadian Nursing Association, the Canadian Medical Association, the Canadian Public Health Association, Ontario College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, Accreditation Canada, and the Canadian Alliance for Community Health Centres Association. The delegation added several kilograms to their luggage with the information collected. Links to these organizations’ websites will soon appear on the website http://www.canbhp.org.

A highlight of the Ottawa visit was a luncheon meeting hosted by Peter Milliken, Speaker of the House of Commons (president of the parliament). Ambassador Milenko Misic, Embassy of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Dušan Vujačić, Charge d’Affaire, Embassy of the Republic of Serbia also attended. The luncheon was attended by the Hon. Tony Clement, P.C., M.P. (Minister of Health) and Member of Parliament, the Hon. Robert Thibault, P.C., M.P. (Liberal Health Critic), Mr. Lui Temelkovski, M.P. (Liberal), Mr. Ed Komarnicki, M.P. (Conservative) and Mr. Dave MacKenzie, M.P. (Conservative). Before the luncheon the delegation was received in the Speaker’s private office, where they were able to speak informally to Minister Clement and the other Members of Parliament, some of whom had traveled to BiH earlier this year. Following the luncheon, the delegation attended Question Period and were acknowledged and welcomed in the House of Commons.

A reception was held in Ottawa at which time the delegation was welcomed by Ms. Lise Filliatrault, Director General for Europe Division, CIDA, who recognized the successes and partnerships being realized in the Balkans.  The reception gave the delegates and Canadian health partners an opportunity to meet and discuss in a less formal environment.

The ministers’ trip was organized through the cooperation of the Balkans Primary Health Care Policy Project – implemented by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) and Queen's University Kingston; the Balkans Youth and Health Project – implemented by the Canadian Society for International Health (CSIH) and the World University Service of Canada (WUSC); and Strengthening Civil Society Voice for Public Health through Public Health Associations (Balkans) – implemented by the Canadian Public Health Association.