Meet Jasmina Sonjić, our Medical Officer

Jasmina Šonjić began to work as a medical assistant within DRC almost three years ago. Thanks to her dedication to work and empathetic approach towards beneficiaries, she was promoted to the medical officer, providing daily support to the teams of local primary health care centers in infirmaries operating within temporary reception centers in Sarajevo Canton. Jasmina was the first medical officer who ensured access to medical services for persons in need staying outside temporary reception centers in Sarajevo Canton, through daily presence on the field, communication with other service providers, and referrals or escorts to primary and secondary health care centers. 

“Having a lot of experience gained through previous assistance to refugees and victims of human trafficking in terms of providing safe accommodation, medical and other assistance those people needed after I joined the DRC I was entrusted with many tasks related to health care on which I successfully answered with the great support of my colleagues, team leader, and manager,” says Jasmina, known as an employee who is always ready to jump in and go to the frontline of all health challenges.

Her working day depends on a need in the field - sometimes, it is about going to another part of the country where DRC provides medical assistance to persons in need, on call of local organizations, health, or other involved institutions, or escorting our beneficiaries to the local public health center for a dental examination or for childbirth. 

“Professional, I am guided by the fact that no medical case or need goes by without assistance, which also brings smiles to the faces of our beneficiaries and shows them that they are not alone, especially when in question are difficult health conditions. The biggest challenge, I assume for all medical workers, is to stay healthy in every possible sense in order to be useful to our beneficiaries. I would especially refer to mental health, which plays an important role in maintaining of physical health. Thanks to our organization, support for employees was not lacking in this domain either,” emphasized Jasmina.

With the arrival of refugees from Ukraine in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the DRC Medical Team ensured a quick response in terms of assessment of medical conditions and needs, and Jasmina got the opportunity to participate in the team's provision of access to medical services for people in need. An exceptional contribution, and at the same time one of the biggest for her considering the sensitivity of the cases, is the provision of necessary medical attention to victims of gender-based violence in coordination with DRC protection teams and the GBV Officer.

“The DRC puts our beneficiaries first, but also their employees, anytime or in any life aspect, showing us that we are one big family. The DRC motivates me every single day and shows me how important human life is by respecting and appreciating diversity,” concludes Jasmina.

Successfully fulfilling all her duties at work and studying at the same time, we can proudly say that DRC has a graduate security manager within the team that is very active in the sport and enjoys sharing the mat with her girls from one of the BJJ academies in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Besides this, Jasmina loves to spend time with her family and friends.