Public health services in Herzegovina region during 1992-1995 war.

The aim of this study was to describe the situation and the development of Croatian Defense Council medical corps during the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The paper provides an overview and describes the main events that lead to development of the medical care in the wartime conditions, with special emphasis on the public health system in Herzegovina region. This included the creation of three distinctive public health system settings: initial, integral and post-war period, all marked by certain specificities in organization and delivery of the public health and overall health care to both military and civilians. The knowledge and skills gathered during this period can be useful in situations that involve the need for fast public health actions, such as various natural disasters and disease outbreaks, and could be used for establishing highly mobile response public health teams. Furthermore, the experiences gathered during these periods may be useful during the planning phases of the health care reforms, all aiming to deliver the best possible health care to the entire population.