Reuben Eldar1, Ivan Bagarić. 1. Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the establishment and operation of the Croatian Medical Corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1992-1995 war. METHODS: We analyzed pertinent documents available to one of the authors (B.I.) who served on the Headquarter of the Corps, the study of the 17 published articles describing medical activities in various parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war, as well as other relevant medical-military literature. RESULTS: The Corps functioned effectively and, in fact, served as a new health care system for the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was initiated, planned, and operated voluntarily by members of the medical community, established before the defense forces, and later incorporated within them, but retaining its autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: The development of the Corps represents a unique phenomenon in the history of military medicine.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to review the establishment and operation of the Croatian Medical Corps in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the 1992-1995 war. METHODS: We analyzed pertinent documents available to one of the authors (B.I.) who served on the Headquarter of the Corps, the study of the 17 published articles describing medical activities in various parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the war, as well as other relevant medical-military literature. RESULTS: The Corps functioned effectively and, in fact, served as a new health care system for the Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was initiated, planned, and operated voluntarily by members of the medical community, established before the defense forces, and later incorporated within them, but retaining its autonomy. CONCLUSIONS: The development of the Corps represents a unique phenomenon in the history of military medicine.