EuroHealthNet, in collaboration with the RIVER-EU project, hosted a dynamic session on vaccine hesitancy and its underlying factors on September 27, 2023, during the European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2023 conference.

The event aimed to reveal the broader health determinants influencing vaccine choices and challenge the misconception that vaccine hesitancy is the sole driver of unequal vaccine coverage in Europe.

Dr. Mira Jovanovski Dašić, Head of the SEEHN Secretariat, with other prominent speakers Prof Danielle Jansen, Associate Professor at the University Medical Center Groningen, Dr Angelo Fasce, Research Fellow at the University of Coimbra,  and Ms Caroline Bollars, Senior Advisor at WHO Europe, contributed to this exciting session. Ms Alison Maassen, Programme Manager at EuroHealthNet, moderated skilfully the discussion. Additionally a Young Gasteiner, Ms Lina Papartyte, provided support at the News Desk.

In a compelling address, Dr. Dašić highlighted the following key points:

• Impact of Misinformation: Dr Dasic emphasized the detrimental effect of misinformation on vaccine hesitancy, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. SEEHN responded by promoting accurate information and debunking falsehoods.
• SEEHN’s Role as a Peace-builder: Dr. Dasic discussed SEEHN’s genesis as a peace-building tool in post-conflict Balkan states. Health, as a human right, facilitated communication and collaboration among member states, even during distrust and limited resources. High vaccination rates were maintained due to mandatory schedules and trust in locally produced vaccines.
• Evolution of Vaccine Discourse: Dr. Dasic noted the changing vaccine narrative from her experience supervising school vaccination programs between 1990 and 2000. Trust in healthcare workers, mandatory vaccination, and a lack of anti-vaccination groups contributed to high vaccination rates. Today, unified messaging from experts is essential for achieving adequate vaccine coverage.

This event fostered dialogue on vaccine uptake barriers and systemic changes for equitable vaccine services. The insights shared will further efforts to enhance vaccine coverage and public health across Europe.

JOINT STATEMENT

On the occasion of World Patient Safety Day 2023, 17 September 2023

The South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) and the SEEHN Regional Health Development Center (RHDC) on Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement of Health Care (ACQI),
representing the one voice of the 10 (ten)Focal Points for ACQI1 from the 9 (nine) SEEHN member states – the Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, the State of Israel, Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, Romania and the Republic of Serbia, call for integrated, coordinated and forward-looking regional efforts and actions in the field of empowerment of
Patient Safety and in line with
WHO launched a flagship initiative: The Decade of Patient Safety 2020-2030

Taking into account the Resolution 72.6 of the World Health Organization (WHA72.6) and the Global Patient Safety Action Plan of the World Health Organization 2021-2030 (Global Patient Safety Action Plan 2021-2030), SEEHN member states will strive to achieve the above Joint Commitment through seven actions.

First: Strengthening SEEHN cooperation and joint initiatives in order to maximize regional capacities for patient safety improvement.

Second: Raising awareness on safety of clinical processes, like: clinical procedures, medication without harm, infection prevention, control and antimicrobial resistance, safety of medical devices, medicines, blood and vaccines.

Third: Raising awareness among healthcare professionals and general public about the importance of patient safety issues in the provision of health care.

Fourth: Strengthening the role of patients and their families, as well as patients` associations in developing and implementing patient safety policies and measuring the improvement of providing safe healthcare.

Fifth: Prioritizing the issue of patient safety in the creation of health policies and in the entire institutional framework of our health systems.

Sixth: Strengthening existing mechanisms and establishing new mechanisms for recording, collecting, reporting and analyzing data related to patient safety at all levels of the health systems, in compliance with data protection legislation/regulations.

Seventh: Improving and strengthening the knowledge, skills and competencies of healthcare workers in terms of patient safety through the development and implementation of formal and informal trainings with regional coordination.

Recognizing the importance of providing safe health care, but also aware of the challenges that our health systems face when it comes to patient safety, the representatives of the Healthcare Quality and Accreditation Agencies in the member states of the SEEHN agree that in the coming period, they will jointly contribute to improving patient safety, according member state ‘context.

First planned activity will be organized in November 2023 in Belgrade. During the Round Table  on Patient Rights, one session will be attributed to Patient Safety. As, SEEHN and RHDC on ACQI of HC are following WHO initiatives and Action Plan for Patient Safety, as a strategic priority for modern health care, there is also one more activity planned as a Round Table, also in Belgrade, with a topic on raising the Patent Safety in the first quarter of 2024.

¹ _{For Bosnia and Herzegovina, health care is in jurisdiction of Republic of Srpska and Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Therefore, there are two focal points in Bosnia and Herzegovina, one from Republic of Srpska and one from Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina}

Dedicated to the theme “Engaging patients for patient safety” with the slogan “Elevate the voice of patients!”

The South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) and the SEEHN Regional Health Development Center (RHDC) on Accreditation and Continuous Quality Improvement of Health Care (ACQI), on the occasion of the World Patient Safety Day 2023 launched a Joint Statement for integrated, coordinated and forward-looking regional efforts and actions in the field of empowerment of Patient Safety.

The Statement is available HERE

Moreover, with the support of SEEHN Secretariat, Agencies for accreditation of Health Care Institutions from the SEEHN member states, translated and printed promotional materials (posters) contributing to raising the awareness for Patient Safety and ultimately for healthcare safety globally.