“MRVICE” FROM EAST SARAJEVO RELEASE PURPLE BALLOONS IN HONOR OF PREMATURE BABIES

Members of the Association of Parents of Prematurely Born Children in Republika Srpska, Mrvice, along with their prematurely born children from the East Sarajevo branch, released purple balloons into the sky in memory of all those who did not win their battle for life.

PHOTO: SRNA

The president of the Association, Mileva Mirović Tanić, stated that 15 babies were born prematurely in the “Srbija” Hospital over the past year, accounting for around 10 percent of all births. She emphasized that this is a significantly high number.

Tanić noted that the association, founded nine years ago and currently counting 28 members, aims to raise public awareness about the challenges and potential consequences of premature birth.

“Thankfully, many children grow up to be healthy and active after receiving appropriate therapy. However, we often encounter cases of hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy, while milder issues commonly relate to speech, hearing, and vision — usually addressed with glasses or hearing aids,” Tanić told reporters.

She stressed a pressing issue in East Sarajevo — the lack of a pediatric physiatrist who can provide physical therapy for young children. She called on relevant institutions to help solve this problem, noting that parents are forced to travel to other cities without having their expenses reimbursed.

Tanić added that the Association enjoys strong support from both the Cabinet of the President of Republika Srpska and the Prime Minister, who have assisted them with major initiatives and events marking “Purple November.”

“All our activities have been successfully implemented, including our biggest initiative three years ago — the ‘Human Milk Bank’, which has been operating at the University Clinical Center of Republika Srpska. Under the patronage of then President Željka Cvijanović, we raised more than one million KM,” she said.

Jelena Krstić, mother of seven-year-old Jovan, who was born prematurely, emphasized the importance of marking November 17 — World Prematurity Day — to raise awareness that premature birth can occur even during a healthy pregnancy.

Recalling the difficult early days of her son’s life, Krstić said it was heartbreaking to see the purple light in the hospital and her newborn in an incubator with his eyes covered. Jovan spent 64 days in the hospital, having been born in the 28th week with a weight of 1,240 grams. Today, he is a healthy boy.

“Awareness about premature babies is essential — but so is awareness about the parents who go through all of this,” Krstić said.