Sarajevo police search Health Ministry in IVF clinic probe

Authorities in Sarajevo conducted searches at the Ministry of Health of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the offices of the Health Minister and his advisor. The operation, carried out by the Special Department for Organized Crime and Corruption (POSKOK) of the FBiH Prosecutor's Office, involved the seizure of documents, computers, and electronic devices. While no arrests were made, the Health Minister and another individual are considered suspects in the ongoing investigation. The probe centers on the "New Life" clinic, which specialized in artificial insemination and embryo storage before it closed and rebranded as "Northwestern Medical Center IVF." The clinic's closure led to significant distress for its clients, who were uncertain about the fate of their biological materials. The Cantonal Hospital in Zenica eventually took custody of the stored embryos and biological materials. A key issue under scrutiny is the clinic's contract with the Federation Health Insurance Fund, which finances assisted reproduction procedures, despite prior indications of irregularities from the Federal Inspectorate.