In Bosnia and Herzegovina, there are no national policies, strategies, or comprehensive programs specifically aimed at improving health services to make them youth friendly. The healthcare system operates in a decentralized manner, with entities (Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Republika Srpska), Brčko District, and cantons in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina holding separate responsibilities for health, which complicates a unified approach to youth in healthcare facilities.

Although certain initiatives have been implemented over the past decade through international projects, these have largely been local in scope and have not been integrated into higher-level health policies. For example, under mental health reform, some Mental Health Centers developed adolescent counselling services, but these services are neither systematically nor institutionally recognized as “youth friendly.”

The lack of specific policies and guidelines means that most healthcare facilities do not have trained staff capable of effectively communicating with young people, nor do they provide the spatial or procedural conditions that ensure privacy, safety, and trust in accessing services. Many young people report feeling uncomfortable seeking healthcare, particularly in relation to mental health, sexual and reproductive health, or substance use.

Recommendations from civil society organizations and international partners, including UNICEF, WHO, and UNFPA, emphasize the need for:

• Training healthcare workers to engage with young people in a developmentally appropriate and empathetic manner,
• Establishing dedicated appointments or spaces for youth within health centers,
• Promoting confidentiality and ensuring young people’s rights to access information and services without stigma.

To date, these recommendations have not been translated into binding regulations or systemic interventions. Young people, particularly from marginalized groups (e.g., Roma, rural populations, LGBTQ+ youth), continue to face multiple barriers in exercising their right to healthcare.

As of 2025, no progress has been recorded in developing a comprehensive national program to improve youth access to health services in a way that empowers them and encourages proactive management of their own health.