War
in Bosnia... Sarajevo, a beautiful Olympic city, was
surrounded with hundreds of different artillery weapons. What an
anachronism - at the end of 20th century, to have a whole city and
its citizens under a real medieval siege for almost four years!
Many people, including innocent children and civilians, were
killed or wounded during the war... Besides human lives, war
caused an enormous damage to the infrastructure. Many homes,
public buildings, cultural institutions, even hospitals, were
heavy damaged or destroyed. Also, many libraries...
Probably
the most beautiful library in the former Yugoslavia, the National
Library of Bosnia and Herzegovina was situated in the
monumental Austro-Hungarian City Hall, built in 1894. Many
generations of students have been using its books, not only during
the studies but also after their graduation, for the rest of their
life. Until the war came.... On 25 August 1992, the Library was
hit by 50 artillery shells, and soon most of its rich collection was
burned down. More than a million of books, a great number of
periodicals, and a collection of rare books and manuscripts. The
Sarajevans still remember that disaster by the ashes of books
flying all above the city that day...
Medical
libraries of the University of Sarajevo did not suffer such a
horrible destiny. However, the total blockade of Sarajevo cut them
off from the rest of the World, without new information from most
of the scientific fields of medicine. But, the Medical faculty
Sarajevo has remained open throughout the war. In such hard
war circumstances, both professors and students gave their best in
the effort to keep on the cultural and academic life of Sarajevo.
Finally, days of peace arrived...
Today,
years after the horrible war is over, our country turns its energy
to the reconstruction. Our Faculty is even going through a reform
of medical education system, as a part of reform of health sector
in general. This very important task is facing some problems as
there is a lack of literature and other educational materials
and equipment. So, that is why we launched this BookAid
Appeal, to ask for your help and assistance to your colleagues,
Bosnian medical students and young doctors. We would very
appreciate any kind of help and assistance you could provide us,
anything you find useful for medical education process; journals,
magazines, books, specimens, slides, films, software, equipment,
etc.
If
you need any further information, do not hesitate to contact our
National Office Sarajevo by email at voxmedici@hotmail.com
(preferably) or by fax at +387
33 203 670.
We
count on your good will and solidarity. Thank you for your
attention to the BookAid Appeal.
Mirza
Muminovic, BoHeMSA Secretary General
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