Arif Smajkic

Arif Smajkić (born 1932) is a leader and founder of public health in Bosnia and Herzegovina, educator, researcher, and scientist who worked on multiple projects related to health and medicine.

Biography Arif Smajkić was born near Mostar. After completing elementary and high school in Mostar and Sarajevo – with a slight delay due to World War II – he was conscripted into the Army. Smajkić served his mandatory military service as part of the Jugoslav navy in Split. After completing his military service, he enrolled in the Medical School in Sarajevo, graduating in 1961. Smajkić launched several international research and education projects, including:

International study on the utilization of health resources in hospitals and health centers in 9 European countries with different funding systems. Organizing health care and health services in disasters. Health care and health of migrants.

Professional positions In addition to teaching and scientific work, he also served as: Director of the BiH State Public Health Institute from 1990 to 2011. Chair of the Committee for Health and Social Security, responsible for ensuring medical supplies, medicines, and other items for health institutions, tracking statistical data, and reporting on the killed, deceased, wounded, and internally displaced and refugee groups outside the country through a daily newsletter published in Bosnian and English languages that were the primary source of information used by international humanitarian, health and media agencies. Minister of labor, social policy, and migration in the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina from 1993 to 1995. Resident representative and advisor of BiH to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna from 2005 to 2009. Editorial Board Secretary 1972 to 1978