The main topics of this paper are the socialized healthcare system in former Yugoslavia, the changes in the transition period within the society and the healthcare system. We have separately analyzed the factors of the demographic and socioeconomic situation, the usage of the existing capacities within the system, as well as the comparison of the data related to the healthcare system in Serbia versus the EU countries. The analysis presented has pointed to the usual challenges present in the countries in transition as well as the efforts by the Government and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Serbia in the way of numerous national and strategic documents, initiatives and projects in order to improve and sustain the healthcare system.