e-QuoL Opens Any Door: A European Mission Project Bringing New Hope to Survivors in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The arrival of the e-QuoL project in Bosnia and Herzegovina was met with strong public approval. Survivorship has long been a known issue within the pediatric oncology department and among members of the Association of Patients. Unfortunately, health authorities have traditionally prioritized satisfactory recovery rates while neglecting the importance of long-term survival.

A Breakthrough for Bosnia and Herzegovina

The launch of e-QuoL marked a major milestone for the country: it became the first Mission Cancer project under the Horizon Europe programme implemented within our health sector. During meetings with the Minister of Health, the project was warmly welcomed, and support for its implementation was assured. Thanks to the Ministry’s backing, it became easier to reach major media outlets and speak publicly about survivorship challenges and the project’s goals

New Hope for Patients and Families

Patients, along with the Parents’ Association and the Association of Young Survivors, could hardly belief that someone in their country would finally take survivorship seriously —addressing it in line with the European standards and regulations. This initial spark, combined with project-related activities, helped us obtain long-delayed approvals for service-organization requests that had been “waiting in the drawer” for years.

Rapid Progress Through Institutional Understanding

In a short period of time, approval was granted to establish a follow-up clinic. We also received permission to monitor cured patients in the pediatric oncology department (where they were treated) until the age of 25 —an essential step in launching a survivorship programme. With the understanding and support of key stakeholders, we were able to easily secure the necessary authorizations from health authorities and hospital administrations for issues that had long resisted resolution.

The vision and objectives of e-QuoL opened doors —not only at the Ministry of Health but also at the Health Insurance Institute.

A Renewed Commitment to Survivorship

Caught in the routine of daily work with patients in both hospital and clinical settings, there had never been enough time to focus on survivorship. The arrival of e-QuoL breathed new life into our efforts. From the very first day of treatment, we began talking to patients about survivorship. Learning from the experiences of major European hospitals not only broadened our knowledge but also inspired us to act. Following a path already taken by others is certainly easier, but the feeling of being part of something meaningful —something that will benefit patients across Europe and address many of their challenges— was simply extraordinary.

From Skepticism to Trust and Empowerment

At first, patients listened to the project’s objectives with skepticism. But gradually, hope began to grow. Now they belief that “someone” will systematically address their problems even after treatment ends. They have gained confidence in expressing their needs, empowered themselves, and rejected the shame often associated with their illnesses.

They are eager to share their experiences, becoming valuable sources of information for future research. A dedicated platform is being created to meet their needs, offering access to crucial information at any time.

Opening Doors — and Hearts

The e-QuoL project has opened the doors of important institutions. But, perhaps more importantly, it has opened the hearts of our patients.