Skopje, 26 September 2025 – Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Secretariat, held a meeting with Ms. Alexandra Kelleher, Senior Program Manager for Europe and Middle East Emergency Response, and Ms. Katerina Takovska, Regional Director for Europe and MENA, Managing Director of Direct Relief GmbH.

Dr. Paduraru presented an overview of the SEE Health Network’s current state of affairs and outlined upcoming priorities under the Israeli Presidency. These priorities include strengthening health system resilience through improved emergency preparedness and response, advancing digital health solutions, empowering health professionals, and addressing the health financing gap associated with ageing populations.

Discussions focused on potential avenues for collaboration, such as rapid support in emergencies, cross-border supply chain readiness, rehabilitation and mental health initiatives, and energy resilience for health facilities. Discussions also focused on potential support to the neighboring countries to the Ukrainian conflict and who host refugees for more comprehensive support

Both parties emphasized the importance of reinforcing cooperation and committed to further exploring opportunities for joint action to advance public health initiatives of regional relevance.

Skopje, 29 September 2025 – Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Secretariat, met with UNFPA Representative and Country Director for Western Balkan Countries, Dr. Justine Coulson, and Dr. Tamar Khomasuridze, MD, PhD, SRH Regional Advisor, UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Ms. Jovanka Brajovic Grigorijevic, SRH/Youth Programme Analyst, UNFPA Country Office in North Macedonia.

Dr. Paduraru provided an overview of the SEEHN’s current state of affairs and upcoming priorities under the Israeli Presidency, which include:

• Strengthening health system resilience through improved emergency preparedness and response,
• Advancing digital health solutions,
• Empowering health professionals, and
• Addressing the health financing gap associated with ageing populations.

The meeting focused on identifying areas of mutual interest for collaboration. Discussions highlighted several priority fields, including:

• Cervical cancer prevention and control,
• Advancing sexual and reproductive health through a life-course approach,
• Maternal health and safe motherhood,
• Addressing gender-based and obstetric violence,
• Family planning and access to modern contraceptives,
• Strengthening the health workforce, with particular emphasis on midwifery,
• Leveraging digital solutions for improved SRH services, and
• Exploring the impact of environmental factors—especially air pollution—on pregnancy outcomes.

A particular emphasis was placed on the Regional Health Development Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health, hosted by Romania and led by Dr. Mihai Horga, as a key regional platform for technical expertise and action.

Both sides underlined the importance of reinforcing cooperation and expressed their commitment to further exploring joint initiatives that would advance sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and broader public health priorities of regional relevance.

On 17 September in Podgorica, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, met with Dr. Mirjana Vlahović-Andirjasević, SEEHN National Health Coordinator and State Secretary at the Ministry of Health of Montenegro.

Dr. Paduraru provided an overview of the current state of the SEE Health Network and upcoming priorities under the Presidency of Israel, focusing on strengthening health system resilience through better emergency preparedness, advancing digital health solutions, empowering health professionals, and addressing the health financing gap linked to ageing populations. She also underlined the Secretariat’s vital role as the main engine of administrative and technical support for SEEHN activities.

The discussion placed particular emphasis on the role of SEEHN’s Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) as the primary vehicles for technical expertise, with special attention to the RHDC on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) hosted by the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro.

Dr. Vlahović-Andirjasević expressed appreciation for the close cooperation with the Secretariat and highlighted the importance of the RHDCs, both in the past and for the future. She suggested exploring new joint activities, particularly in cancer screening across SEEHN Member States, while reaffirming Montenegro’s commitment to supporting the RHDC on NCDs.

Both sides agreed on the importance of strengthening collaboration and exploring further opportunities to enhance the Network’s work and other public health initiatives of regional relevance.