BOSNIA: MEDICAL EVACUATIONS HALTED FOR LACK OF FUNDS

ZAGREB, Sep 6 (Hina) - The Special Medical Program which provides donated medical treatment for victims of war will be suspended in Bosnia-Herzegovina for lack of funds, leaving 171 persons, including 42 children, in need of medical care without hope of evacuation, said a statement by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Among those persons are an eleven year old girl from Zenica suffering from congenital heart disease; an eighteen year old man from Sarajevo with severe shell injuries of the abdomen; a twenty- one year old man from Zenica with injuries of both arms and the right leg; and a seven year old girl from Tuzla with a cerebral tumor. UNHCR and IOM have been jointly administering this Program in Bosnia-Herzegovina since August 1993. It has enabled 953 persons to receive appropriate medical care unavailable locally. Accompanied by members of their family, patients were treated in some 30 countries worldwide. Several appeals for funds recently sent to the international community have so far remained unanswered, said the statement by the IOM. (hina) ks 061018 MET sep 94