Mental health is a significant concern at the European level. While there are funding opportunities, there are also persistent inequalities between countries. How can these disparities be tackled?
Mental health is indeed a pressing public health concern in Europe. Despite promising funding opportunities, we must recognize disparities among regions and countries. To tackle these issues, a collective and strategic approach is essential. First and foremost, we must acknowledge and understand the unique challenges faced by each area. More than a one-size fit all, a tailored approach is required. We must dwelve into the root causes, ranging from cultural to economic factors.
Collaboration is key. European countries must share best practices, resources and expertise. By establishing a network of collaboration, we can leverage each nation’s strengths to uplift those facing greater challenges. This sense of solidarity will promote collective responsibility for the mental well-being of all European citizens.
Moreover, targeted funding mechanisms are crucial. We must design grants, subsidies, and incentives tailored explicitly to regions and populations experiencing the most significant mental health disparities. Lastly, we must address stigma through robust educational campaigns. Promoting awareness and understanding will create an environment where seeking help is accepted and encouraged.

Moving on to South-Eastern Europe, what are the characteristics of the mental health systems in this region, and how can their needs be addressed?
The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is a political and institutional forum set up by the governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and North Macedonia to promote peace, reconciliation and health in the region. In 2011, Israel became the 9th member state of the Network. The Network covers a region with a population of nearly 60 million in 2020. Excluding Israel, these countries witnessed a significant demographic decline of 6.3 million people (11.1%) from 2000 to 2020. The economic context is characterized by disparities between GDP growth and declining populations, suggesting complex factors like migration and an ageing population. This economic context is crucial as mental health is closely linked to socioeconomic conditions.
Mental health in the region faces challenges such as a higher stigma of mental illness, lack of systematic implementation of mental health policies, and non-transparent decision-making on resource allocation. SEEHN conducted a comprehensive study from 2000 to 2020 to address these needs. The results revealed disparities in mental health policies, quality assurance, financing, and workforce across SEE countries.
While progress has been made, there’s room for improvement. For example, our analysis found that mental health policies and legislation exist in most countries, but there are opportunities for enhancement, particularly concerning national suicide prevention programs.
Future efforts should focus on capacity building, quality assurance, harmonizing legislation with international standards, and fostering inter-sectoral cooperation. These strategies are crucial for effectively addressing the mental health needs of the populations in these countries.

What would be the essential principles of a European Strategy for mental health?
The recent initiative launched by the Commission of the European Union serves as an excellent example from which we can derive a sub-regional tailored strategy. This initiative prioritizes mental health equally with physical health through 20 flagship initiatives and EU funding of 1.23 billion EUR. The guiding principles are adequate and effective prevention, access to high-quality and affordable mental health care, and reintegration into society after recovery.
Adequate and effective prevention involves promoting good mental health through comprehensive initiatives such as a European initiative to prevent depression and suicide, a European Code for Mental Health, and the strengthening of brain health research. Access to high-quality and affordable mental health care requires significant investment in training and capacity-building, ensuring mental health is integrated into all policies, and improving access to treatment and care. Reintegration into society after recovery involves protecting vulnerable groups, especially children and young people, and leading by example internationally by raising awareness and providing quality mental health support in humanitarian emergencies.
This comprehensive approach addresses mental health in all policies to recognize multiple risk factors affecting mental health. Concrete actions will cover a wide range of guidelines and include efforts to promote good mental health, invest in training and capacity-building, ensure good mental health in the workplace, protect children and young people, address vulnerable groups, and lead by example internationally in mental health support during humanitarian emergencies.

AWARENESS AND EDUCATION

How could civil society be involved in preventing, combating, and managing mental health problems?
Civil society plays a crucial role in creating a supportive environment to address mental health challenges. Through awareness campaigns, educational initiatives, and advocacy, civil society can contribute significantly to breaking the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Civil society organizations can collaborate with healthcare professionals and policymakers to create accessible and inclusive mental health services. Promoting mental health literacy, providing resources for early intervention, and establishing support networks empower individuals and communities to address mental health challenges proactively.
Civil society’s engagement in policy advocacy ensures mental health remains a priority on the public agenda. By actively participating in developing and implementing mental health policies, civil society organizations can contribute valuable perspectives that consider the needs and concerns of diverse communities.
Additionally, fostering partnerships between civil society organizations and health professionals can lead to innovative community-based programs that address mental health challenges at the grassroots level.

Are there examples of national good practices that could be translated to the South-Eastern European region?
For more than 20 years the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) has been a key player in the mental health development in the region. Instruments like the Dubrovnik Pledge focused on strengthening social cohesion and mental health. The SEE ministries of health committed their governments to reform the old psychiatric hospital system as an essential component of their overall health system reform process. New community mental health centres were established to help people with mental health problems live better lives.
A dedicated Regional Health Center for mental health was also established in Bosnia and Herzegovina to accelerate change in the region. A critical mass of experts is now playing a crucial driving role in the mental health field and reform process.

Politici de Sănătate nr. 47

THE INTERVIEW IS ENTIRELY PUBLISHED ON www.politicidesanatate.ro

The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Member States and partner countries representatives gathered in Trieste to gain a first-hand experience in developing community mental health services and occupational health through integration practices.

In her opening address Dr Dasic director of the SEEHN Secretariat highlighted that the SEEHN Secretariat has been working very hard in the past year to be able to deliver as many activities as possible beneficial to its member states. One of them was to arrange a study visit on mental health to Trieste for mental health experts from South Eastern Europe. .

Under the leadership of Dr Dasic, the SEEHN Secretariat organized this study visit, as the Trieste model is acknowledged academically in the world. It was a multi-stakeholder partnership between the SEEHN Secretariat, the Central European Initiative, and the Secretariat of WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Mental Health, Trieste, Italy.

The mental health experts engaged into vivid discussions about the challenges, progress, and policies that shape mental health services in the SEE region versus the Trieste history and progress up to today’s success.

The specific objective of this project was to strengthen the capacities of the experts and decision-making level in SEEHN Member States by acknowledging the best practices in community mental healthcare and by drawing applicable models to the specific SEE Region in the local and community prospective.

As the mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, the South Eastern Europe Health Network remains committed to supporting countries in this transformative process. Bosnia and Herzegovina, regionally being the champion for the last two decades in the mental health reforms, remains devoted to lead it while holding the SEEHN Presidency.

The European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines & HealthCare (EDQM) has just published the results of a survey conducted in 2022 among states who are members of both the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) and the Council of Europe. The main objective of this initiative was to assess the implementation of pharmaceutical care (PC) in daily practice, with special attention to the process and services described in Council of Europe Resolution CM/Res (2020) 3 on the implementation of pharmaceutical care for the benefit of patients and health services.

To summarise the results, awareness and implementation of PC and related services varies significantly in the region. Shortcomings are frequently due to the absence of regulations or healthcare policies, the lack of data on the proven benefit of PC, the lack of computerised systems and/or IT tools, and the lack of access to patient medical records. A full analysis of the results can be found in the survey report (link below). Wider dissemination of the resolution and broad promotion of the PC concept are needed in SEEHN member states.

Pharmaceutical care is a quality concept and a working method for health professionals involved in prescribing, dispensing and administering medicines. In short, it is the responsible provision of medicine therapy for the purpose of achieving definite outcomes that improve a patient’s quality of life. It involves a process of direct co-operation between pharmacists, other healthcare professionals and the patient to design, implement and monitor a therapeutic plan intended to achieve those outcomes by addressing the medication needs of patients in a comprehensive manner and using a patient-centred approach. Implementation of PC in the SEEHN member states will allow this approach to strengthen healthcare systems through more efficient interprofessional collaboration, leading to a more rational use of medicines and better health outcomes.

Download the full report: “The implementation of pharmaceutical care in daily practice in SEEHN member states”.

Happening now!

South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Member States (ALB, BIH, ISR, BLG, MNE, MKD, MDA, ROU, SRB) in partnership with Ministry of Health of Slovenia, representatives of the Institute of Public Health, partner organizations as WHO Regional Office for Europe, CEI, OECD, European Commission, the Council of Europe, convened at a high level meeting, on 4 and 5 December 2023, in  Brdo Congress Centre, Slovenia. 
The meeting is co-organized by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia and the SEEHN, along with the National Institute of Public Health and the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

 Health is a principal and widespread value in every society as well as a fundamental human right. As such, it must be safeguarded with particular attention and caution. Health systems are in the forefront to implement this task. Almost all healthcare systems are facing challenges related to the post pandemic period, climate changes – marked with catastrophic natural disasters worldwide and with the megatrend of the aging of the population.

 The main objective of the high-level meeting is to present and discuss:

• strengthening the healthcare systems within SEE and beyond, for more resilience and better preparedness for possible future shocks and crisis,
• solutions for persistent health workforce shortages,
• establishing or strengthening trust among the various stakeholders in our healthcare systems.

The participants at the event will additionally discuss the potential of digitalization in healthcare, the questions related to the uninterrupted access to medicines, as well as, issues concerning medicine supply chains, where the lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic will be shared.

 Stay tuned for the main outcomes!

‘Mental health is an universal human right’

World Mental Health Day 2023 serves as a platform for individuals and communities to observe together this important health day. This years theme is ‘Mental health is an universal human right.’ The collective effort aims to enhance understanding, elevate consciousness, and spur initiatives that advance and safeguard the mental well-being of all, recognizing it as a fundamental human entitlement.

Currently, Bosnia and Herzegovina holds the SEE Health Network (SEEHN) presidency, and it focuses its primary efforts and expertise to promote mental health reforms, namely community mental health services, including the ones in post-conflict settings. Special attention is given to the healthcare workforce and its mental health, mainly after the pandemic in view of the pandemic impact and the permacrisis in the region..

The SEEHN is dedicated to its continued collaboration with other organizations in an effort to maintain mental health high on the policy makers agenda.

On September 26, 2023, the SEEHN Secretariat was proud to organize a highly successful Mental Health Session during the prestigious European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2023 conference.

The session convened an esteemed assembly of experts, policymakers, and advocates, uniting to tackle critical mental health challenges prevalent in the South-eastern Europe (SEE) region.

The event was marked by profound discussions, exchange of invaluable insights, and the exploration of strategies aimed at fortifying mental health services across Europe.

Moreover, by the end of this year, a study tour, at the WHO Collaborative Center for Research and Training in Mental Health, to visit the community mental health services in Trieste is planned.

The SEEHN strongly urges its Member States to act, to safeguard the mental health of the medical personnel, and to increase the funding for the battle against the hidden mental illness burden. We all must continue to seek to deepen our European and South Eastern European commitment to mental health as a rights-based strategy.

On September 26, 2023, the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Secretariat was proud to organize a highly successful Mental Health Session during the prestigious European Health Forum Gastein (EHFG) 2023 conference.

The session convened an esteemed assembly of experts, policymakers, and advocates, uniting to tackle critical mental health challenges prevalent in the South-eastern Europe (SEE) region.

Broadcast globally via live-streaming, the event was marked by profound discussions, exchange of invaluable insights, and the exploration of strategies aimed at fortifying mental health services across Europe.

The session featured distinguished speakers who significantly enriched the discourse:

Prof Dr Hristo Hinkov, minister of health Bulgaria, emphasized the global, regional and national strategic frameworks to advance mental health.

Dr Nathalie Berger, Director for Support to Member State Reforms at the European Commission, and Dr Nikolina Jovanović, Associate Professor at Queen Mary University of London, provided succinct talks on pivotal elements necessary for the advancement of mental health services in South-Eastern Europe.

Dr Nicolae Jelamschi, representing the public sector, shared illuminating insights into the trends and the significance of mental health in the SEE region’s healthcare workforce, along with key priorities for improvement.

At the same time, the session benefited from the profound experiences of Dr Biljana Lakić and Dr Irina Rizvan, who offered insights into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s mental health sector.

The panel discussions and audience interaction were moderated by Dr Mira Jovanovski Dašić, Director of South-Eastern European Health Network (SEEHN) Secretariat. Additionally a Young Gasteiner, Ms Benedetta Baldini, provided support at the News Desk throughout the session.

Key Highlights and Outcomes:

• Regional Comparative Study Findings: The session unveiled the findings of a comprehensive regional comparative study on mental health services in SEE, providing an all-encompassing overview of the current state of mental health services in the region.

• National Experience Sharing: Attendees were privileged to gain profound insights into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s remarkable two-decade journey in post-conflict mental health reforms, with a focus on the importance of sharing such experiences to benefit other SEEHN Member States.

• Prioritizing Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health: Best practices for addressing mental health issues among healthcare professionals took center stage. The session underscored the necessity of prioritizing the well-being and resilience of healthcare workers.

• Empowering Civil Society: A significant portion of the session was dedicated to exploring the critical role of civil society in furnishing community-based mental health services and fostering inclusivity and support, emphasizing the significance of collaborative endeavors.

• EU Support and Aspirations: Deliberations revolved around the European Union’s pivotal role in supporting mental health reforms in the SEE region, aligning harmoniously with the region’s aspirations for EU accession.

• Engaged Audience: Active participation from both onsite and online attendees enriched the session, with thought-provoking questions and discussions spanning topics such as EU support for mental health, accessibility to mental healthcare services, trends in mental health for the healthcare workforce, and innovative approaches to mental health service delivery.

The session concluded with a comprehensive panel discussion that provided attendees with an opportunity to delve deeply into subjects encompassing current practices, effective implementation strategies, the scaling up of mental health services, and the fundamental prerequisites for successful mental health reforms.

SEEHN Secretariat extends its heartfelt appreciation to all the speakers, panelists, moderators, and participants whose invaluable contributions played a pivotal role in the resounding success of the Mental Health Session at EHFG 2023. The session reflected the unwavering dedication and commitment of individuals and organizations to advance mental health services and support the well-being of healthcare professionals in the SEE region.

The insights, knowledge, and recommendations generated during this session will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on mental health policies and practices in the SEE region.

SEEHN Secretariat remains steadfast in its commitment to advancing the cause of mental health and eagerly anticipates ongoing collaboration and progress in this pivotal area.

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.

Officials and representatives from national, regional, and local health authorities, healthcare institution directors, managers of healthcare facilities, as well as representatives from the National Council of Nurses, Midwives, and Medical Assistants attended the event.

The conference began with an online address from the Minister of Health, Prof. Univ. Dr. Alexandru Rafila, who reiterated support for the nursing and midwifery profession by emphasizing the importance of responsibility in medical practice, along with the need to enhance education and professional training quality.

The topics discussed included the importance of international expertise in the professional development of nurses and midwives, as well as innovative approaches to improve the quality of healthcare in communities. The conference agenda featured a high-level opening panel and two thematic sessions.

The first thematic session focused on the importance of international perspectives, expertise and experience in promoting the work of nurses and midwives.

The representatives from the WHO Regional Office for Europe led session 1: International Perspectives. The session included the Chief Nurse from Israel from the WHO Collaborating Centre for Leadership and Governance in Nursing and Midwifery; the social and health policies advisor to Princess Muna al Hussein; the Secretary-General of the Jordan Nursing Council and the Director of the Secretariat of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN).

Dr Dasic structured her intervention around three points: SEEHN overview, recent examples of the SEEHN implemented projects focused on nursing and  investment in the mental health and well-being of nurses and midwives as they play the essential role in the community; they represent the backbone of a healthcare system and are over 50% of the healthcare workforce. Therefore, the establishment of the SEEHN RHDC for Nursing and Midwifery hosted by the Order of Nurses and Midwifes from Romania is the big step ahead to advance and empower the nursing and midwifery at the SEE regional level.

The second session addressed essential topics for improving the quality of healthcare in the community. Themes explored included health prevention and promotion, understanding social and behavioural perspectives in managing anti-vaccine attitudes, enhancing the personal resilience and mental health of healthcare professionals, and identifying innovative approaches in maternal, sexual, and reproductive health.

This conference marked a significant moment in promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange among healthcare experts with the aim of developing innovative solutions to improve healthcare regionally and globally.

A wide array of participants – Representatives from SEEHN Secretariat, WHO Regional Office for Europe, WHO Country Office Romania, WHO CC in Israel, SEEHN RHDC on Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Board of the Order of Nurses and Midwives from Romania gathered on 29 August at Olimp in Romania to discuss the draft roadmap for the newly established SEEHN RHDC for nursing and midwifery. The inclusive dialogue intended to create the longstanding partnership among actors that have a common objective and different scope and levels of intervention with the ultimate aim to improve nursing and midwifery in the SEE region and beyond.
The Order of Nurses and Midwives from Romania is the host of the SEEHN RHDC for Nursing and Midwifery. This governance structure was approved following the nomination by the Ministry of Health of Romania, the minister Dr Alexandru Rafila and the Order of Nurses Board approval and the approval within the 46th SEEHN Plenary Meeting in Albania, Tirana, held on 4-5 June 2023.
The next important step now is to create a SEEHN network of focal points on nursing and midwifery. This structure shall bring the grassroots needs on which priorities the SEEHN RHDC on Nursing and Midwifery shall focus in the immediate and medium term.
The deliberations touched upon the governance structure, priority setting, complementarity of work among different partners, future funding and fundraising opportunities in a synergy at the regional level.
Finally, the meeting set up the scene for a knowledge broker in nursing and midwifery hosted by the Regional Health Development Center in Romania, bringing valuable experience advancing nursing and midwifery to optimally contribute to achieving universal health coverage (UHC) and other population health goals.

The South Eastern Europe Health Network joins the global community to celebrate World Blood Donor Day, an annual event held on June 14 to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation and to express gratitude to voluntary blood donors around the world.

This year’s theme, “Give Blood, Give Plasma, Share Life, Share Often,” emphasizes the critical role each individual can play in ensuring a robust and sustainable supply of blood and plasma.

Blood transfusion plays a vital role in modern healthcare, supporting a wide range of medical procedures, including surgery, childbirth and the treatment of various diseases and injuries.

However, access to safe and adequate blood remains a significant challenge in many parts of the world. The global COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated this problem, leading to a drop in blood donations due to restrictions and fears associated with the virus.

World Blood Donor Day serves as a platform to acknowledge and recognize the selfless contributions of blood donors, who are true heroes in the ongoing fight against life-threatening conditions and emergencies. Their donation of blood not only saves lives, but also improves the health and well-being of countless people in need.

On this occasion, the South Eastern European Health Network wishes to express its gratitude to all blood donors who have contributed to our mission to save lives and improve health. Their unwavering commitment and generosity continue to make a profound difference in our communities.

In addition to recognizing the contributions of blood donors, World Blood Donor Day also aims to raise awareness about the need for safe blood and blood products. It emphasizes the importance of screening and testing donated blood to ensure its safety and reduce the risk of transmitting infectious diseases. The SEEHN encourage its Member States to remain committed to improving blood donation systems, supporting safe and voluntary blood donations, and fostering a culture of donation. Mobilizing support for individuals to consider becoming regular blood donors is of utmost importance as every donation counts. Together, we can ensure that no one faces unnecessary suffering or loss of life due to a lack of safe blood.