Addressing Public Governance Challenges in Digital Health : The Experience of Republika Srpska, an Entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina

Overview & Synopsis

Republika Srpska (RS), located in the northern and eastern parts of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), is one of the two constitutional entities within the country (CIA 2025). Administratively, Republika Srpska is divided into municipalities, each governed by local authorities. The largest city and administrative center is Banja Luka, which serves as a hub for government, commerce, and cultural activities (Wagener 2023). Republika Srpska’s economy is currently focused on stability and infrastructure development, with significant investments in the transportation and health care sectors. While energy, forestry, and agriculture remain important, recent economic strategies have leaned toward leveraging low debt levels to fund large-scale projects, driving growth in targeted areas (Kurtic 2024). Republika Srpska operates as a parliamentary republic with a centralized political structure. The president of Republika Srpska serves as the head of the entity, representing it in relations with the central government of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Legislative authority is vested in the National Assembly, a unicameral body responsible for passing laws and policies affecting key areas such as health, education, and infrastructure. The National Assembly also oversees the budget allocation for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW), which formulates health policies for the entity. Local governments, organized through municipal assemblies, are responsible for implementing health initiatives and managing public services within their jurisdictions. Judicial authority is exercised by courts established under Republika Srpska’s legal framework, including the Supreme Court, District Courts, and Basic Courts (Government of Republika Srpska 2011; National Assembly of the Republic of Srpska 2015).