Session 3: Relevance of various air pollution sources in driving health impacts.
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Press Release
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On June 8-9, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network participated at the virtual workshop on Air Pollution and Health in Southeast Europe.This event was organized by the Health Effects Institute (HEI), in cooperation with the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology (ISEE), and the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and environmental health institutions in Serbia.
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The goal of the workshop was to review the status of current evidence on the health effects of air pollution in the Southeast European region and its interlinkage to current policy debate and actions.
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As fine particulate matter (PM2.5) levels in Southeast Europe have remained higher than those in Western Europe for decades, public and governmental interest in the topic increases, and the demand for data and evidence on air pollution levels and trends, as well as health effects, is growing.
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The workshop is part of the larger HEI project in Southeast Europe funded by the Clean Air Fund.
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The director of the SEEHN Secretariat co-chaired the third session with Dr Angel Dzambov. The session 3 focused on the Relevance of various air pollution sources in driving health impacts.
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In her welcoming address, Dr. Dasic showcased the devastating effects of air pollution. She stated that PM2 can lead to a wide range of diseases (e.g. Cardiovascular diseases and reduced lung function, respiratory infections, aggravated asthma etc). The World Health Organization provides evidence of links between exposure to air pollution and type 2 diabetes, obesity, systemic inflammation, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified air pollution, in particular PM2.5, as a leading cause of cancer. A recent global review found that chronic exposure can affect every organ in the body, complicating and exacerbating existing health conditions. Over 400,000 premature deaths (in 2018) are accounted for air pollution in Europe only.
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The SEEHN director also emphasized the need to join forces to concentrate the efforts across countries, regions, and continents to improve the air quality across the globe.
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Dr. Branislava I. Matić, Institute of Public Health of Serbia and Dr. Dima Tsanova, Medical University – Pleven, Bulgaria addressed the different sources that contribute to population exposure to key air pollutants in the region. Dr. Hanna Boogaard, HEI, ISEE-Europe underlined the benefits of air pollution interventions.In the concluding remarks of the sessions, Dr. Dasic highlighted that air pollution is a major cause of premature death and disease, and is the single largest environmental health risk in Europe and that we need to join forces to accelerate equitable and sustainable interventions.
You can find below the address delivered by the Director of the SEEHN Secretariat during the panel discussion on “Building countries areas and partners synergies in support to the key priority initiatives and actions”
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Dear Regional Director, Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
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It is my immense pleasure to participate at this highly important meeting on behalf of the South Eastern-Europe Health Network Secretariat.
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Dear Dr. Kluge, we wish to commend you for your strong leadership for health throughout the European Region and to thank you for hosting this valuable multi country and multi partner dialogue. It is the right moment to gather and openly discuss the critical priorities and synergies for the Western Balkans health and for closing the health gap with the EU.
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The South Eastern Europe Health Network is the oldest health alliance in the SEE: this year, we celebrate 20 years of collaborative efforts for better health in the SEE, including our Western Balkans Member States. Past 20 years have demonstrated our strong and steady dedication to support our countries and communities to improve health and wellbeing.
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We are fully supportive to the WHO European Roadmap for Health in the Western Balkans: the time is right to join forces of countries and partners to put health high in and beyond the current pandemic, to invest more and where most needed. SEEHN stands ready to support it through its own efforts, and jointly with partners.
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Next year we plan for the Ministerial Forum, and where the outcome Ministerial Pledge, would for sure do justice to the Roadmap, as we have today witnessed the statements of the Ministers of Health of our Member States: it will present a strong contribution to achieving the objectives of the Roadmap.
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Our current activities in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, colorectal cancer screening, childhood malnutrition and obesity, healthy lifestyles health literacy, strengthening health systems to respond to the air pollution challenges, and others, will continue contributing to the same goal. Our efforts related to health of the healthcare workers, mental health and other activities in the pandemic will continue beyond it and support planning for full recovery and improving health beyond the pandemics.
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The Roadmap represents a sub-regional strategy that strongly orients us to invest into the areas and projects that matter and will have impact, based on the vast evidence that you have presented in the paper. It will help our efforts for resetting our health agenda.
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Reconstruction, however, can remain intangible unless leaders are able to think creatively and beyond their immediate organizational roles. I would like to command the leadership and the commitment of both our Western Balkans Member States and the WHO Regional Office for Europe for the joint action to accelerate an equitable and sustainable recovery and closing the health gap.
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We see the WHO European Roadmap for the Western Balkans 2021-2025 as a critical guidance towards devising stronger health systems resilient to future pandemics.
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We are convinced that this strategic guidance will accelerate the implementation of the European Program of Work and will create an interplay of countries and partners for better health outcomes.
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With such a vision comes even greater responsibility and more expectations. Let me assure you that the South Eastern Europe Health Network remains a strong partner to implement the Roadmap objectives. It provides us a much-needed devise to plan our action in coherence and unity necessary to achieve its goals.
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Dear colleagues,
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Solidarity, unity, and social cohesion are at the very core of the SEEHN and present its foundation. We are looking forward to joining energies and through partnerships to contribute and implement this ambitious Roadmap to the best of our abilities and in the ultimate interest of our people’s well-being and closing the health gap with EU.
Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, in winter, the time of year that is consistently ranked as one of the most polluted cities in Europe. We pay our attention to the damage that pollution causes in the country. During euronews Green Week, our news teams explore stories and solutions for a better planet across Europe.
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According to estimates by the World Bank, 1,100 people die each year as a result of air pollution in North Macedonia. Its population is only two million inhabitants.
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The Southeast Europe Health Network is a regional organization based in Skopje. It promotes health and well-being among the Member States, and is actively working in the area due to the alarming situation.
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Mira Jovanovski Dashic, Director of the European Health Network underlines: “We have a report prepared by experts from our Member States, and it shows that the damage of air pollution to health is very great, and the consequences can be seen in heart disease, allergies and cancers. “
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Several investigations have shown that some of the large industrial consumers use fuels that are prohibited by European regulations.
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Now that North Macedonia has harmonized much of its legislation, citizens and their representatives want to know how it will affect them.
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Naser Nuredini, Minister of the Environment explains: “That is why we always talk about the rule of law. We have to apply our laws; we cannot limit ourselves to harmonizing them. We have to work on different fronts. That is why we need better intersectoral collaboration. The Ministry of the Environment has proposed some laws, new laws. We cannot limit ourselves to passing them in Parliament, but we have to collaborate with the inspectors and with the other ministries and agencies to apply them. “
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Converting the letter of the law into everyday reality is one of the greatest systemic weaknesses of countries in transition like North Macedonia. The European Commission notes this chronic weakness in all its reports. Citizens are still waiting for the government to implement the Commission’s recommendation which, among other things, will also bring a bit of that much needed fresh air to North Macedonia.
Head of SEEHN Secretariat, Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic had a pleasant working meeting with representatives from Project HOPE, North Macedonia. During the meeting were highlighted implemented partnership activities in the recent period and it were also discussed the possibilities for further cooperation.
The Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly (WHA) is held virtually, from 24 May to 1 June 2021, due to COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on – Ending this pandemic, preventing the next: building together a healthier, safer, and fairer world.
State Secretary Prof Dr Ferenc Vicko on behalf of the Republic of Serbia SEE Health Network Presidency mandate addressed WHA 74.
In his statement delivered during the general debate following Director-General’s opening remarks, Prof. Dr Vicko highlighted that the South Eastern Europe Health Network, is for 20 years an excellent platform and unique regional organization to improve the healthcare systems across the SEE Region.
He expressed Serbia’s support to channel all efforts at the Regional level in order to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19, to reduce inequalities and improve the resilience of the health systems.
For 34 years since the historic resolution WHA42.19 was passed, World No Tobacco Day is celebrated on the 31st of May to raise awareness about the risks of tobacco use and its devastating effects on global health.
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Roughly 8 million people die from tobacco-related diseases each year and respiratory diseases with one of the highest incidences are caused or worsened by tobacco use or smoke exposure.
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Although this epidemic remains the most preventable cause of lung disease both in adults and children, the WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemicreleased in 2019 shows that only 23 countries worldwide provide comprehensive cessation programmes that meet the best-practice levels.
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Without solid commitments, meeting the targets of the Sustainable Development Agenda aims to reduce deaths from non-infectious diseases by a third, is far from reach.
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The South-Eastern Europe Health Network joins the WHO annual pledge and calls on policymakers and stakeholders to reduce the burden on healthcare systems that is caused by tobacco by enhancing the political and financial support to tobacco cessation services.
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The World Health Organization awarded Mr. Cornel Radu-Loghin, the Secretary-General of the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP) with one of the World No Tobacco Day 2021 Awards in recognition of his outstanding contribution in the tobacco control field.
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A Romanian national, Mr. Radu-Loghin set up the ENSP Network in 1997 under Belgium law, and expanded it gradually to 36 countries, supporting activists to promote comprehensive tobacco control policies. More recently, the ENSP was actively involved in the context of the launch of United Action Against Cancer, a Pan-European cancer movement, and the European Union’s Beating Cancer Plan. Awards were also presented to the Research Group on Tobacco Control; the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation; the German Network of Tobacco Free Hospitals and Health Services of the Federal Republic of Germany; and Dr. Müserref Pervin Tuba Durga, Vice President for Health, Family, Labor and Social Affairs of the Commission of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey.
The second year of COVID-19 pandemic is only deepening the economic crisis, the health toll is inestimable and the future consequences are yet another check to be paid. At this stage, immunization is key to unlock the path towards building back.
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The COVID-19 immunization is scaled-up globally on a different path and scale and the SEEHN Member States also vary depending on an array of factors. However, SEEHN stands by to promote large-scale vaccination, fostering for better emergency preparedness and eventually prepare further for future roll-out within the younger population.
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In this light, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network jointly with Project HOPE and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at the Watson Institute of Brown University have organized the COVID-19 vaccine training program for frontline responders, on 20 May 2021. Member States Ministries of Health demonstrated huge commitment and mobilization efforts.
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As result of strong commitment and contribution of the National Focal Points nominated by respective Ministries of Health, the training gathered over 150 frontline workers from the SEEHN Member States. It offered the platform to discuss the latest science behind different vaccines available on the market, concerns and answers, vaccine rollout communications, prioritization systems and country specific guidelines.
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Additionally, the trainees had the opportunity to hear the first-hand experience and the State of Israel successful story in details. It also covered the adjustments and solutions, future steps and expert opinions.
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Finally, this training of trainers is expected to be rolled out within the SEEHN Member States and multiply the end beneficiaries over 1200 and scale-down further. These trainings aim to shape skills and equip the health care workers for a rapid and safe response.
World Health Organization Hand Hygiene Day is celebrated on 5 of May. This year and in the light of the past pandemic year the importance of adequate handwashing has proved its importance both in our daily lives and in health care settings.
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SEE Health Network (SEEHN) joins the World Hand Hygiene Campaing emphasizing the slogan that “Seconds save lives – clean your hands!”
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This year ties with 2021 the Year of the Health care workers, focusing on the quality of care component and the crucial role of the healthcare workers keeping 5 moments for Hand Hygiene approach:
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before touching a patient
before clean/aseptic procedure
after body fluid exposure risk
after touching a patient
after touching patient surroundings
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SEEHN is flagging the importance of hand hygiene at the points of care and the special role of nurses and midwives in infection prevention and control, providing clean and safer care. SEEHN has channeled its efforts towards nurses and midwifes during the past year in particular. However, the momentum shall be perpetuated and bring the Governments on board with sustainable commitment and access to sanitizers. Empowering health care workers not only in practicing clean environment at every step but also by promoting and raising awareness in the general population on the most affordable and effective infection prevention technique the hand hygiene.
Amidst the turmoil of COVID-19, the development of effective Covid-19 vaccines brings us closer to the promise to put an end to a ravishing pandemic.
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The annual celebration of the World Immunization Week offers a unique opportunity to advocate for greater engagement around immunization globally and to promote large-scale vaccination against COVID-19.
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The South-Eastern Europe Health Network joins the international call to support successful Covid-19 vaccination campaign rollout in its Member States, enabling the country preparedness and the safeguard of lives and livelihoods from the grip of the pandemic.
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The SEEHN, Project HOPE and the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Studies at the Watson Institute of Brown University have partnered to deliver a COVID-19 vaccine training program for frontline responders.
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As vaccines become available, local vaccinators are racing against time to immunize as many people as possible. These trainings contribute to health care workers’ skills and equip them with adequate knowledge and skills to respond rapidly and safely.
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The modularized healthcare worker training, planned for mid-May 2021, will be conducted in coordination with SEE Health Network Member States Ministries of Health and other local partners to ensure that country-specific information is integrated into the training curriculum.
On the 8th of April, Dr Mira Dašić, the Director of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network represented the organization at the high-level conference Nurses and midwives, at the forefront of change, organized by the Romanian Order of Nurses and Midwives.
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The event marked World Health Day and served as an opportunity to honor the contribution of nurses and midwives at the frontlines of COVID-19 response and towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Chaired by the President of the Romanian Order of Nurses and Midwives, Mr Mircea Timofte, the conference was attended by Dr Hans Kluge, the Regional Director of the Regional Office for Europe of the World Health Organization.
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National high-level officials from the Presidential Administration, the Romanian Parliament as well as Romanian members of the European Parliament addressed the audience that comprised representatives of the Executive Board of the Nursing Order and chief nursing officers from the main public hospitals within the country.
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During his keynote speech, Dr Hans Kluge emphasized the key role of nurses and midwives during the pandemic waves and stressed their fundamental contribution to build back fairly and ensure the resilience of our health systems. No matter where one looked, nurses and midwives were and still are at the core of the Covid-19 response. (…) Nurses and midwives have confirmed beyond the call of duty to keep our community safe. They have been one of the strongest defense lines against Covid 19 in the pan-European region.(…)Nurses are not only the key pillar in our health systems, their work is fundamental in our work in achieving universal health coverage, the official stated.
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Dr Dašić also highlighted in her virtual intervention the role of nurses and midwives as one of the important pillars of the health systems that are at the forefront of COVID-19 response – providing care and play a critical role in emergency risk reduction, preparedness and response.
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The SEEHN director stressed the importance of empowering health professionals with the adequate tools to face emergent threats, resuming some of the most important initiatives focused on strengthening capacities component, such as the one with Project Hope and the most recent CEI-SEEHN initiative “Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world”.
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One of the videos developed within the CEI funded project, containing the testimonials of the beneficiaries of the training, was displayed during the speech.
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Dr Dašić also underlined the added value of the new WHO Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery 2021-2025 as a comprehensive framework that tackles the current challenges and invited the audience to a reflection exercise on key issues in relation to the future programme of work: The question remains: will it be enough? Is it Applicable? Will it be translatable from the idea to actual policies action to strengthen nursing and midwifery towards Universal Health Coverage and achievement of the SDGs agenda?
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In conclusion, the SEEHN director called on the stakeholders to support nurses and midwives so that they are empowered to continue their important work.
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The event had a specific panel dedicated to leadership in nursing, during which Dr Howard Catton, CEO of the International Council of Nurses, Dr Rivka Hazan Hazoref, Director of the WHO Collaborative Centre for Leadership and Governance in Nursing and Professor Thomas Kearns, Executive Director of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwives from the RCSI Dublin, addressed the audience.
Today, 8 April 2021, we are remembering the first ever multi-country meeting of the SEE countries held in Sofia in 2001, when decision for establishing of SEE Health Network was taken. Later on in September 2001, the decision was endorsed by signing the Dubrovnik Pledge by the Ministries of Health of seven SEE countries. The SEEHN is strongly committed to proceed the journey of partnership, solidarity and cooperation in the years ahead!
COVID-19 caused major disruption around the globe. Regrettably the most vulnerable are paying the heaviest toll. This year WHO on World Health Day is pleading for a fairer and healthier world for everyone. SEEHN is also striving for universal health coverage, with the aim to improve access to quality, affordable health care and to advocate for equal access to care, everywhere, without experiencing financial hardship. The pandemic proved that no one is safe until everybody is safe. And even more without qualified and healthy staff there is no response. Therefore, SEEHN sees of outmost importance to continue celebrating the Year of the Health Care Workers (HCW) on this World Health Day and to emphasize the importance and crucial role of HCW played in the health systems. HCW are the ones that can ensure better access to the health services, closer to the patient, through better quality and in this way to improve equity and inclusiveness. Currently, during the pandemic nurses undertook an important role to roll-out the vaccination campaigns. SEE Health Network strongly supports the investment in nursing and midwifery as an investment in Health for All and Leaving No One Behind! Nurses from SEEHN member states expressed their VOICE on: What does it mean to be a nurse? SEEHN express deepest gratitude to nurses and midwifes for the efforts to make our world healthier and safer every day!
Dr. Mira Dasic, director of the Secretariat of the South Eastern Europe Health Network addressed the 7th International Public Health Conference which took place in Albania on the 23 March 2021. The event was co-organized by the Albanian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
High-level representatives of the Government and interested stakeholders as well as international partners attended the event that focused on strengthening the culture of prevention and on how to assure universal access to essential services for all the population.
“Integration of Public Health services into Primary Health Care (PHC)” was the first-ever national public health conference dedicated to primary health care in Albania.
It provided a dialogue platform for professionals and academia to share experiences and to discuss policy, practice, and research, priority challenges to, and lessons learned in developing primary health. It also aimed at sharing best practices on innovative models of services to be developed, and efficient mechanisms for better and more evidence-based policies and practices within the field.
Dr. Mira Dasic attended the parallel session 1 Successful PHC strategies: effective integration of PH functions into PHC with a presentation on SEEHN (Western Balkans and beyond) potential to advocate for better integration of primary health care and public health in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.
The intervention was structured around 3 points: brief introduction on SEEHN, PHC and PH current examples and future possibilities. The SEEHN Director paid tribute to the Declaration of Alma-Ata which is considered to be a strategic milestone in underlying the importance of primary health.
In her remarks, Dr. Dasic encapsulated key messages on the importance of investments in people, partnerships, platforms, and political will. Addressing increasingly complex health needs calls for a multisectoral approach that integrates health-promoting and preventive policies, solutions that are responsive to communities and health services that are people-centered. Strengthening systems at the community and peripheral health facility level contribute to building resilience, which is critical for withstanding shocks to the health system, like the one we are living now.
She underlined to the audience that it is crucial to recommit to strengthening primary health in order to achieve universal health coverage: “leave no one behind” and to secure the health of the whole population.
The SEEHN director stressed the importance of rethinking and reorganizing the system to put the person at the centre: „Through the integration of PHC and PH the existing gap can be closed and move closer to the goal and achieve equitable health for everyone. The PHC as the first point of contact has a crucial role in promoting healthier lifestyles.” PHC professionals should “make every contact count”, which is about making healthy living a priority, Dr. Dasic explained.
The conference was also an opportunity to brief the participants on the regional initiatives SEEHN coordinated starting with the efforts to strengthen PHC in the Network`s Member States back in 2018 and culminating with the recent project; “Strengthening capacities of nurses – front line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 response – Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world” funded by CEI.
The presentation also offered a short glance at the prospects of another SEEHN initiative to be soon implemented with the support of the TAIEX mechanism and hosted by the RHDC on Human Resources for Health hosted by the Republic of Moldova to tackle the PHC skill-mix of nurses and their ability to provide advice on NCDs management.
The SEEHN Secretariat avail itself of this opportunity to welcome the endeavors of Albania to recommit to strengthening primary health care and extend its appreciation for the warm welcoming and the excellent organization of the event.
Dr. Mira Dasic, director of the Secretariat of the South Eastern Europe Health Network addressed the 7th International Public Health Conference which took place in Albania on the 23 March 2021. The event was co-organized by the Albanian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
High-level representatives of the Government and interested stakeholders as well as international partners attended the event that focused on strengthening the culture of prevention and on how to assure universal access to essential services for all the population.
“Integration of Public Health services into Primary Health Care (PHC)” was the first-ever national public health conference dedicated to primary health care in Albania.
It provided a dialogue platform for professionals and academia to share experiences and to discuss policy, practice, and research, priority challenges to, and lessons learned in developing primary health. It also aimed at sharing best practices on innovative models of services to be developed, and efficient mechanisms for better and more evidence-based policies and practices within the field.
Dr. Mira Dasic attended the parallel session 1 Successful PHC strategies: effective integration of PH functions into PHC with a presentation on SEEHN (Western Balkans and beyond) potential to advocate for better integration of primary health care and public health in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.
The intervention was structured around 3 points: brief introduction on SEEHN, PHC and PH current examples and future possibilities. The SEEHN Director paid tribute to the Declaration of Alma-Ata which is considered to be a strategic milestone in underlying the importance of primary health.
In her remarks, Dr. Dasic encapsulated key messages on the importance of investments in people, partnerships, platforms, and political will. Addressing increasingly complex health needs calls for a multisectoral approach that integrates health-promoting and preventive policies, solutions that are responsive to communities and health services that are people-centered. Strengthening systems at the community and peripheral health facility level contribute to building resilience, which is critical for withstanding shocks to the health system, like the one we are living now.
She underlined to the audience that it is crucial to recommit to strengthening primary health in order to achieve universal health coverage: “leave no one behind” and to secure the health of the whole population.
The SEEHN director stressed the importance of rethinking and reorganizing the system to put the person at the centre: „Through the integration of PHC and PH the existing gap can be closed and move closer to the goal and achieve equitable health for everyone. The PHC as the first point of contact has a crucial role in promoting healthier lifestyles.” PHC professionals should “make every contact count”, which is about making healthy living a priority, Dr. Dasic explained.
The conference was also an opportunity to brief the participants on the regional initiatives SEEHN coordinated starting with the efforts to strengthen PHC in the Network`s Member States back in 2018 and culminating with the recent project; “Strengthening capacities of nurses – front line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 response – Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world” funded by CEI.
The presentation also offered a short glance at the prospects of another SEEHN initiative to be soon implemented with the support of the TAIEX mechanism and hosted by the RHDC on Human Resources for Health hosted by the Republic of Moldova to tackle the PHC skill-mix of nurses and their ability to provide advice on NCDs management.
The SEEHN Secretariat avail itself of this opportunity to welcome the endeavors of Albania to recommit to strengthening primary health care and extend its appreciation for the warm welcoming and the excellent organization of the event.
Dr. Mira Dasic, director of the Secretariat of the South Eastern Europe Health Network addressed the 7th International Public Health Conference which took place in Albania on the 23 March 2021. The event was co-organized by the Albanian Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, and UNICEF.
High-level representatives of the Government and interested stakeholders as well as international partners attended the event that focused on strengthening the culture of prevention and on how to assure universal access to essential services for all the population.
“Integration of Public Health services into Primary Health Care (PHC)” was the first-ever national public health conference dedicated to primary health care in Albania.
It provided a dialogue platform for professionals and academia to share experiences and to discuss policy, practice, and research, priority challenges to, and lessons learned in developing primary health. It also aimed at sharing best practices on innovative models of services to be developed, and efficient mechanisms for better and more evidence-based policies and practices within the field.
Dr. Mira Dasic attended the parallel session 1 Successful PHC strategies: effective integration of PH functions into PHC with a presentation on SEEHN (Western Balkans and beyond) potential to advocate for better integration of primary health care and public health in the face of COVID-19 pandemic.
The intervention was structured around 3 points: brief introduction on SEEHN, PHC and PH current examples and future possibilities. The SEEHN Director paid tribute to the Declaration of Alma-Ata which is considered to be a strategic milestone in underlying the importance of primary health.
In her remarks, Dr. Dasic encapsulated key messages on the importance of investments in people, partnerships, platforms, and political will. Addressing increasingly complex health needs calls for a multisectoral approach that integrates health-promoting and preventive policies, solutions that are responsive to communities and health services that are people-centered. Strengthening systems at the community and peripheral health facility level contribute to building resilience, which is critical for withstanding shocks to the health system, like the one we are living now.
She underlined to the audience that it is crucial to recommit to strengthening primary health in order to achieve universal health coverage: “leave no one behind” and to secure the health of the whole population.
The SEEHN director stressed the importance of rethinking and reorganizing the system to put the person at the centre: „Through the integration of PHC and PH the existing gap can be closed and move closer to the goal and achieve equitable health for everyone. The PHC as the first point of contact has a crucial role in promoting healthier lifestyles.” PHC professionals should “make every contact count”, which is about making healthy living a priority, Dr. Dasic explained.
The conference was also an opportunity to brief the participants on the regional initiatives SEEHN coordinated starting with the efforts to strengthen PHC in the Network`s Member States back in 2018 and culminating with the recent project; “Strengthening capacities of nurses – front line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 response – Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world” funded by CEI.
The presentation also offered a short glance at the prospects of another SEEHN initiative to be soon implemented with the support of the TAIEX mechanism and hosted by the RHDC on Human Resources for Health hosted by the Republic of Moldova to tackle the PHC skill-mix of nurses and their ability to provide advice on NCDs management.
The SEEHN Secretariat avail itself of this opportunity to welcome the endeavors of Albania to recommit to strengthening primary health care and extend its appreciation for the warm welcoming and the excellent organization of the event.
A sub-regional consultationonsexual and reproductive health (SRH) was organized on 10-11 March with representatives from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Moldova, and Serbia, under the lead of the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia.
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The meeting focused on the status of sexual and reproductive health and agreed on actions for sustaining and accelerating the progress for sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. It also considered the COVID19 pandemic trends and potential impact on SRH in the region.
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The specific objectives of the two days’ sub-regional consultations aimed at:
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– discussing the current status of Sexual and Reproductive Health, especially, in the context of universal health coverage;
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– sharing experiences and results of implementation of the “Action Plan for Sexual and Reproductive Health; Towards achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Europe – leaving no one behind”;
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– finding solutions on maintaining access to Sexual and Reproductive Health interventions in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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In her opening remarks, Dr. Mira Dasic, the Director of the Secretariat of the South Eastern Health Network praised the efforts of the UNFPA Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia to sustaining and accelerating the progress in UHC for SRMNCAH in the region.
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The SEEHN director acknowledged the consequences the pandemic had on the Sustainable Development Agenda, stating that the low- and middle-income countries suffered the most and encountered a decrease in service delivery up to 47%, and that lockdowns and quarantine measures have dramatically limited access to sexual and reproductive health prevention services, procedures and medications.
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At the same time, she made a strong call to acknowledge that the setbacks and disruption caused by COVID-19 need to catch-up as soon as possible to leave no one behind.
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Dr Dasic also stressed the importance of cooperation and partnership to come and support those next steps and recommendations for action on Sexual and Reproductive Health in the context of universal health coverage, so that we build a complementary, joint forces framework, supporting each other to maximize results in the South Eastern Europe.
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SEEHN Secretariat was pleased to be part of this strategic planning exercise involving as partners, the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the Ghent University, and the East European Institute of Reproductive Health acting also as SEEHN Regional Health Development Center.
On February 25, a Regional Webinar “What is currently known about countering misinformation and resilience against misinformation” was held in a virtual format.
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Information literacy proves to be a critical resource and the role of nurses in combating COVID-19 related misinformation is now important more than ever.
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The webinar aimed at providing valuable insights on tools to guide the communities through a minefield of misinformation during these challenging times.
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Three panellists: Ms. Tina D Purnat, Technical Officer, Digital Health Technologies, WHO Supporting WHO COVID-19 Infodemic response pillar discussed on “Infodemic management as a function of health emergency preparedness and community resilience”; Mr. Radoje Cerović, Psychologist and Communication Expert, Digital Transformation strategist presented “Crisis and Risk Communication: Montenegro case study” ; and Ms Einav Shimron, SEEHN National Health Coordinator Deputy Director General for Media and International Relations, Ministry of Health, Israel shared the “Israeli experience on the topic”.
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They explored in-depth the barriers and the enablers to countering mis- and disinformation and examined best practices for tackling the phenomena by stressing the importance of trustworthiness of information and also discussed how to make societies more resilient to the aggressive infodemia.
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In her opening remarks, the Director of the SEEHN Secretariat Dr Mira Dasic stressed once again the crucial role played by the primary health care nurses stating that: “The primary health care Nurses are at the forefront of COVID-19 response, especially at this stage with their double contribution: they provide care and play a critical role in emergency risk reduction, preparedness and response and, at the same time, nurses are expected to ensure the COVID-19 vaccination system”.
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Mr Gian Matteo Apuzzo, Senior expert and project manager, on behalf of Central European Initiative (CEI) Executive Secretariat, stressed the tremendous importance of communication during a pandemic. He also praised SEEHN to be one successful implementer of the health emergency response projects that CEI commissioned last year to help countries with in their COVID-19 response.
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Ms Purnat, highlighted the key drivers that shall shape the approaches in social listening. “Three aspects should be considered by authorities in managing infodemia: (1) accountability to communities we work with, (2) our commitment to evaluation, and (3) supporting community resilience”.
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Mr Cerovic through the Montenegrin case study presented the developed communication strategy and approaches on how to counter misinformation.
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Ms Shimron reflected on the benefits of the community specificities-based approach in tackling the impact of fake news and the importance of using trust frameworks and opinion leaders in messaging and tailoring the message in the native language of the communities.
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This event was also the final activity of the project “Strengthening capacities of nurses – front line healthcare workers during the COVID-19 response – Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world” funded by CEI and implemented by the SEEHN Secretariat.
On 9 February 2021 representatives from SEEHN Member States, WHO Regional Office for Europe, Slovenia, CDC, ECDC and Kosovo*, gathered in a virtual meeting.
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The discussion focused around the COVID-19 Vaccination challenges and opportunities. More than 40 participants joined the conversation and shared valuable experience on the state of affairs in their countries.
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The current sensitive situation related to COVID vaccination in terms of availability, distribution and access are at different degrees in most of the countries.
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The WHO EURO representative stressed that safe and effective vaccines are the critical tool to contain the pandemic. An overview of the landscape of the potential COVID vaccines was presented and the unprecedented effort was put together to tackle the pandemic that could be used in the future to boost solutions for other challenges. Regional mechanism for monitoring the countries COVID-19 preparedness needed to identify the programmatic areas that need strengthening.
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The State of Israel presentation showed that they are a role model, so far, in terms of vaccination strategy and implementation and they shared important lessons learned that could be used in SEE Region.
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Slovenia highlighted the importance of access to the vaccination to all the citizens, including minorities and migrants.
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The country presentations revealed and highlighted the most common specific challenges: the overloaded human resources, delays in vaccine delivery, the media pressure and population acceptance of the COVID vaccines etc.
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The ECDC Representative presented the stress test and reflected on the support provided to the countries who carried out this exercise that is mainly a self-assessment of the preparedness degree. The Western Balkans countries participated to it on the 1.02.2021. The preliminary results were shared and discussed on the 5.02.2021. The highlights emerged from the stress test were:
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• The opportunity to rehearse with the small amount in local settings; possibility to adapt and adjust; robust idea of forward supply chain.
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• Flexibility and adaptation: priority groups, vaccine delivery model, supply chain management, etc.
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• Exchange experience and keep the immunization program in parallel.
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The CDC representative reflected on the state of the affairs on the vaccination plan implementation since mid-December until now, which accounts to over 42 million doses administered so far. Common complexities and further considerations shall be given to: varying cold-chain requirements, need for socially distanced vaccination practices, sub-prioritization might be required when limited supply, one vs. two doses series, vaccine efficacy and safety monitoring, communication and education critical to success of the vaccination program. CDC is building upon a vast communication campaign aimed to reinforce trust, empower healthcare worker providers, engagement with communities and individuals.
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The discussions held proved the importance of this topic and yet again, that solidarity brings benefit and shows to be crucial in fighting back the spread of the virus.
World Cancer Day is marked yearly, on February 4 to raise awareness across the world and to stimulate joint action in the fight against the global cancer epidemic.
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The “I am and I will” campaign acknowledges that everyone has the capacity to address the cancer burden. The theme promotes how our personal actions can be powerful and impactful while recognizing the extraordinary power of cooperation and collective action. Together our actions matter. We can work together to overcome barriers to early diagnosis, treatment and palliative care and achieve global targets to reduce preventable mortality.
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In the efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, we lost focus to a more silent but aggressive fight against cancer, with many patients experiencing disrupting treatment, delayed diagnosis and affected access to medicines. In 2020, 3.5 million people in the European Union were diagnosed with cancer and another 1.3 million people lost their lives to it. Without action to reverse current trends, by 2035 cancer burden is estimated to increase by almost 25% making it the leading cause of death in Europe.
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The recently released European Cancer Beating Plan serves as a unique opportunity for the SEEHN Member States to reinforce their national strategic directions on cancer control.
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The SEEHN strategic vision and various initiatives as well as a dedicated Regional Health Development Center (RHDC) on NCDs hosted by Montenegro, reflect the strong engagement in addressing the burden of cancer. The SEEHN encourages its Member States to run national awareness campaigns to support cancer prevention, early diagnosis and lifesaving treatments.
On 25 January 2021, the SEE Health Network Secretariat Director Dr Mira Jovanovski Dasic and the UNFPA EECARO Regional Director Ms. Alanna Armitage co-signed virtually a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
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Under the MoU, both sides agreed to continue enhancing regional cooperation in public health as one of the highest priority in underpinning political cooperation and economic development in the SEE region, by undertaking exchange of information, publications and joint development and/or implementation of projects and activities in the areas of mutual interest.
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The MoU is an important step in reinforcing the commitment to engage in three transformative results for the health and well-being of the people in the region: ending unmet need for family planning, ending preventable maternal death, and ending gender-based violence and harmful practices.
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The cooperation between SEEHN and UNFPA will be particularly facilitated by the dedicated SEEHN Regional Health Development Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health, hosted by the East European Institute for Reproductive Health in Romania, a long-standing partner of UNFPA and a recognized expertise and innovation incubator in the region.
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The agreement highlights the importance and benefits of strengthening the regional collaboration on sexual and reproductive health in the region. Improving sexual and reproductive health is one of the key health priorities on the international agenda and goal of the Action Plan for Sexual and Reproductive Health: Towards Achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in Europe – Leaving No One Behind.
The South Eastern Europe Health Network is hosting the third round of the Online Emergency Training of Trainers on COVID-19 for Primary Health Care nurses to be held from 18 to 22 January 2021.
As we continue to navigate through the pandemic, the South Eastern Health Network remains focused on supporting Member States in their efforts to strengthen emergency preparedness and response mechanisms, while enabling their national representatives to incorporate evidence-based expertise and insights about COVID-19 case management.
These training sessions aim at improving the clinical performance of frontline nurses by providing tools to assist nurses from the eligible Member States to be better equipped for future pandemics and emergencies.
In these SARS-CoV-2 times, the health care workers face serious psychological pressure. The specific session will explore perceptions of the most significant sources of stress in the first and second stages of the coronavirus pandemic and will make recommendations to adopt the supportive, encouragement & motivational, protective, and training & educational interventions, especially through information and communication platform.
Training participants are primary health care nurses from Republic of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina (two entities: Federation and Republic of Srpska), Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia and Republic of Serbia.
The training is part of the project “Strong nurses for strong health systems and a healthier world”, Ref. no. 305.998-20, funded by Central European Initiative and implemented by the SEEHN Secretariat.
