The Government of Republic of Srpska adopted today during its 21st session in Banja Luka, the Information on preparation of the Preliminary Architectural and Construction Project udner the title "Modernization of the Public Health Institution 'Dr Mladen Stojanović' Hospital in Prijedor - rehabilitation and reconstruction of the existing building C, the psychiatry building, construction of new buildings to expand existing capacities and procurement of new medical and non-medical equipment". The accepted preliminary design envisages modernization of the hospital with a total gross surface of ​​32,257.70 m², out of which 30,088.20 m² refers to the main building, 1,869.50 m² to the Psychiatry building, and 300 m² to the technical block. The estimated value of all construction works and the procurement of medical and non-medical equipment is BAM 167,520,000.00 (VAT excluded), or BAM 195,998,400.00 (VAT included).

The Government has tasked the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to prepare tender documentation and conduct international public invitation to tender for the selection of the main contractor, in accordance with the Law on Public Procurement, using a restricted procedure.

At the same time, the Government has agreed that the funds necessary for implementation of the project, in the amount of approximately BAM 195,998,400.00 will be provided from the Budget of the Republic of Srpska.

The Government adopted the Decision Amending the Decision on Determining Priority Projects to be Financed from Budget Funds within the Public Investment Program of Republic of Srpska in 2026, with the Distribution of Funds.

This Decision covers projects in the municipalities of Pale, Lopare, Čelinac, Oštra Luka, Novo Goražde and the city of East Sarajevo, as well as one project of national importance, which total value amounts to BAM 19,865,000.

In the area of ​​the municipality of Pale, public investment funds will, in accordance with this Decision, be used to co-finance projects worth BAM 2,400,000. BAM 1,300,000 has been allocated for asphalting of the biathlon track in the Nordic Center "Dvorišta", 700,000 for the exterior decoration around the East Sarajevo Police Department building, while 400,000 will be allocated for asphalting of the parking lot next to the "Peki" Sports Hall on the left bank of the Miljacka River.

With this amendment, the amount for infrastructure projects in the City of East Sarajevo has increased from BAM 1,200,000 to 5,700,000.

The construction of the access road to the Tourist-Recreational-Excursion Center "Busija" in the municipality of Lopare has also been included in the priority projects. The municipality of Lopare, in accordance with the budget possibilities, will receive BAM 3,000,000 from public investment funds for this project.The construction of this road represents one of most important projects for economic, tourist and demographic development of the municipality of Lopare and the entire region.

By decision of the Government of the Republic of Srpska, the construction of the bridge on the Vrbanja River with connecting roads in Čelinac has been included in the priority projects, for which the municipality that nominated the project will be allocated BAM 1,400,000. The construction of the Bridge on the Vrbanja River has multiple significance, primarily in terms of improving traffic connectivity, increasing the safety of road users, as well as enabling the balanced development of all parts of the municipality.

In the municipality of Oštra Luka, public investment funds will be used for completion of the construction of the water supply system in the central part of the municipality in the amount of BAM 2,500,000.

The government issued a decision to include the purchase of a mini excavator for the needs of the Public Utility Company "Novo Goražde" in the amount of BAM 65,000 in the priority projects to be financed from public investment funds, in order to improve the maintenance of the existing water supply and sewage infrastructure in this municipality.

The project for development of integrated information system for the Rehabilitation Center "Miroslav Zotović" in the amount of BAM 6,000,000 has also been included in the priority projects of national importance to be financed from public investment funds. This project is important for the digitalization of all medical, recreational and administrative processes, the integration of health, hotel, wellness and recreational services, and the improvement of the quality of services and user experience.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska adopted the Annual Report on State Aid in the Republic of Srpska for 2025. This is the 15th annual report prepared by the Republic of Srpska in accordance with the rules and forms of the European Union, and is based on data received from state aid providers.

Based on the data submitted by state aid providers in 2025, the total state aid granted in the Republic of  Srpska was recorded in the absolute amount of BAM 276 million, that consists of:

- state aid to agriculture and the industry and services sector in total amount of 188 million, out of which 180 million applies to agricultural sector, and 8 million to the industry and services sector.

- "de minimis" aid in the amount of 32 million and

- aid for services of general economic interest in the amount of 56 million.

The allocated state aid for 2025 is 39 million higher than in 2024.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska amended its earlier Decision on the number of students enrolling the first year of the first and the second cycle studies in academic year 2026/27 at public higher education institutions, according to which the number of enrolled students will increase from  5,103 to 5,276.

The University of Banja Luka argued its request for the aforementioned increase in the number of students by the fact that this academic year, the interest of candidates for enrollment in certain study programs has increased.

The total increase within the first cycle of studies at the University of Banja Luka, compared to the adopted Decision, is 173 places, as follows: 94 places more in the self-financing category, 53 places in the category of foreign students and 26 places within the category of part-time students.

The Decision approves the enrollment of 2,778 students in full-time and part-time studies of the first cycle of university studies at the University of Banja Luka, specifically:

- 1,858 students whose education is financed from the budget,

- 517 students who finance their education themselves,

- 266 foreign students, and

- 137 students in part-time studies.

The Government of the Republic of Srpska also amended its Decision on the Method of Financing the Program of Medicines Applied in Limited Available Quantities for 2026. As the results of this Decision, the funds for financing the Program in 2026 are increased from 80 million BAM to 95 million BAM.

The reason for amending the Decision is the previous adoption of the Decision on granting consent to the Proposal for the Rebalance of the Financial Plan-Budget of the Health Insurance Fund of the Republic of Srpska for 2026, as well as the RS Budget Rebalance for 2026, which planned a transfer to the Health Insurance Fund for a special program of medicines in the amount of BAM 95,000,000.00.