World Antimicrobial Awareness Week is celebrated every year by supporting efforts to prevent the further emergence and spread of drug-resistant infections through effective communication and education.
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Despite the death toll and the devastating economic and social inequities brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, the health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is no less dangerous, with antibiotics becoming less effective and drugs becoming more expensive.
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Moreover, the misuse of antibiotics during the current health crisis is expected to have much greater negative health consequences, hindering the progress of ARM management programs. Estimates already reveal worrying prospects by 2050, even higher than cancer, with 10 million deaths that could result globally due to antibiotic resistance.
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With the same slogan as last year, called Antimicrobial: Treat with care, this year’s theme of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week 2021 sends the world a key message about one of the core principles that trigger resilient health interventions. Spread awareness, stop resistance.
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Without immediate action, South East Europe could become a regional hotspot for the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. As such, combating antibiotic resistance is one of the main pillars of SEEHN intervention in the region, supporting the adoption of better antibiotic administration programs for patients.
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Based on previous initiatives successfully implemented in the region, SEEHN will organize, in cooperation with the Albanian Institute of Public Health, supported by TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument of the European Commission) a Workshop on antibiotic interventions and policies in SEEHN Member States (Western Balkans and beyond).
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The two-day event will take place virtually on 22 and 23 November, 2021 and will benefit from the guidance of experts from the Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
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The purpose of this workshop is to map the current situation in the implementation of AMR control programs in SEEHN Member States, as recommended by the World Health Organization and the European Commission, and to report on progress to date, improvements and gaps in the participating Member States.
The Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Center published the results from the subnational risk INFORM index for the 3 pilot DPPI SEE and SEEHN member states Albania, Montenegro and North Macedonia .
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The INFORM index supports a proactive disaster risk management framework. It will be helpful for an objective allocation of resources for disaster risk reduction and management as well as for coordinated actions focused on anticipating, mitigating, and preparing for humanitarian emergencies.
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Congratulations to all who have been involved in the process!
On November 9 and 10, a multicountry workshop on “Clinical guidelines on Sexual and Reproductive Health in SEEHN” was held virtually. The workshop was the result of SEEHN cooperation with the Ministry of Health of North Macedonia, the SEEHN Regional Health Development Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health – the East European Institute for Reproductive Health of Romania and the European Commission’s Technical Assistance and Information Exchange Tool (TAIEX) that funded the workshop.
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In her introductory statement, Dr. Dasic, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, mentioned that COVID-19 has caused major failures and disruptions that need to be remedied as soon as possible so to reduce the inequality gap. SEEHN’s work will focus on counteracting the devastating consequences. “Low- and middle-income countries have suffered the most and have seen a decline in service delivery of up to 47%. WHO reports that the most frequently interrupted services on average included: unit-based services (61%); diagnosis and treatment of noncommunicable diseases (69%), family planning and contraception (68%), prenatal care (56%) and diagnosis and treatment of cancer (55%). Unfortunately, the impact will be far-reaching due to the increasing disparities between countries and within them. Our work will aim to reduce this,” she said.
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The purpose of this multi-country workshop is to strengthen the capacity of health professionals to develop and implement clinical guidelines for sexual and reproductive health services, which have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
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During the two-day talks, the experts also discussed the current situation in the South Eastern Europe region and proposed a coherent and comprehensive national policy framework. In addition, experts provided advice on how to produce and promote good clinical practice in the best interests of the patient to improve the quality and effectiveness of healthcare.
“Mental Health and Resilience Training for HCWs responding to COVID-19 in SEE Region” kick-off meeting of the newly launched project took place on 8 November in the virtual space shared by National Focal Points and Mental Health experts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Kosovo*.
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Building on SEEHN Secretariat previous successful collaboration with Project HOPE and applying the training of trainers (TOT) approach, the current project aims to support SEEHN Member States and guests’ efforts to improve the well-being of health workers.
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The specific objective focuses on providing deeper knowledge and basic tools and techniques to build more personal resilience and, consequently, to achieve the systemic resilience that our health systems are in critical need of.
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Specific actions of this capacity building project include:
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1. Involvement of local health authorities and institutions in advocating for the mental health of health workers;
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2. Adaptation of HERO-NY training materials to the local context of target project participants by local mental health experts and local health workers; (slides of adapted material)
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3. Strengthen the capacity of health workers using HERO-NY adapted material and the Train the Trainers (ToTs) approach to create a group of trainers, eager to disseminate the information of their colleagues and exponentially increase the coverage of this training;
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4. Providing cascading sessions to other health workers.
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This project is developed and implemented by the SEEHN Secretariat and is funded by Project HOPE. It is expected to reach up to 8000 healthcare workers in the SEE region.
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The training sessions will address key concepts of stress, trauma and resilience, with specific reference to:
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Personal and professional wellness
Impact, effect & outcome on HCWs
Seeking help for ourselves & others
Resilience & wellness program development.
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Dr. Mira Dasic, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, welcomed the participants at the kick-off meeting and emphasized in her opening remarks the devastating impact of the pandemic on mental health, with a focus on regional inequities. “The COVID-19 pandemic continues with different speed and another wave is escalating. At the same time, the mental health toll is in continuous rise and it is expected to last as a global phenomenon. The South Eastern Europe Region is a fragile region where during the pandemic increased the inequality gap and mental health issues are surging.” She stated in her intervention. The virtual session included a presentation of the training program and a review on the latest data within the research area. Exploratory discussions were held with participants on the project outline (objectives, activities, and dynamics) and their expectations regarding the outcome of the project.
Dr. Danijela Urošević, Chair of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network Executive Committee represented the Network at the Conference on The Role of the European Union in Strengthening Health Systems Resilience Globally.
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The event was held virtually, on October 20, 2021, under the auspices of the Slovenian Presidency of the Council of EU.
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The Conference aimed to identify a set of actions to support overcoming the COVID-19 crisis and better preparing for future pandemics. The key outcome of the conference called for a holistic, inclusive, and coordinated approach to health systems strengthening within Europe and beyond.
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Dr. Urošević’s intervention focused on the role and remit of the SEEHN and its contribution to the strengthening of the health systems within its Member States, on the prospects of the recently launched WHO Roadmap for Health and well-being in the Western Balkans (2021-2025) and on the promising opportunities to be addressed in partnership by EU and SEEHN.
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She also spoke on the Network’s 20th anniversary this year, highlighting the progress and contribution to health gains in the region. In her speech, she referred to the regional health development centres as drivers for regional cooperation and expertise, to the international partnerships that have built and continue to build core capacities within the Network Member States health systems, and to the deep-rooted principles that have guided the work of the Network over the years, such as solidarity, leaving no one behind and attaining the highest possible level of health.
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Dr. Urošević emphasized the main pillars of the WHO Roadmap for Health and well-being in the Western Balkans, priority actions and reform initiatives in correlation with the SEEHN synergies that are seen regionally as important milestones aimed to re-build the economies of the WBs and promote an environment in which people thrive and have their health needs met.
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Last but not least, shared rules and enhanced cooperation between EU and SEEHN were highlighted as values that should underpin better and fairer reconstruction in the SEE region, while supporting direct mechanisms such as TAIEX to create positive outcomes in areas of common regional interest such as health emergency resilience, mental health, immunization agenda, digital health as well as behavioural and cultural insights.
The South-Eastern Europe Health Network congratulates Dr. Angel Kunchev, SEEHN NHC from Bulgaria and Bulgaria’s Chief Health Inspector for being awarded with the well-deserved distinction of Doctor of the Year 2021 by the Bulgarian Medical Association.
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The challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic to health systems including their leadership around the world make this recognition genuinely outstanding and Professor Kunchev`s work even more admirable.
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The official award announcement mentions that „throughout his professional career, Assoc. Prof. Angel Kunchev has worked tirelessly to solve problems in the healthcare system, and since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, he has shown consistent work, boldly defending his positions“.
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The SEEHN uses this opportunity to also acknowledge Dr. Kunchev`s active involvement and his substantial contribution to the establishment, growth and development of the SEE Health Network!
On October 10, in an effort to raise awareness of mental health issues and to mobilize action to build mental resilience, the world celebrates World Mental Health Day .
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The COVID-19 pandemic and the economic challenges of recovery have negatively affected the mental health of many people and created new barriers for people already suffering from mental illness. This has also been the devastating reality of a rapidly advancing crisis in many countries in South-Eastern Europe.
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The hot spots revealed by the crisis, highlighted a truth that has been so ignored, the necessity to invest in mental health as a basis for the sustainable development of our societies. The most vulnerable are always particularly affected.
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Investing in mental health is key to changing societal attitudes. We need to focus on many fronts, from improving access to treatment and supporting research to identifying new therapies, to increasing the quality of mental health services and mental health awareness, and enhancing efforts to reduce the associated stigma.
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Progress must go hand in hand with a strong cultural transformation. Education has a crucial role to play in making our strategies person-centred and truly inclusive.
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It is encouraging that mental health is central to the WHO Euro new European Work Program. The recent launch of the Pan-European Coalition for Mental Health is a stark example of strong partnerships designed to ensure significant and sustained positive impacts.
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The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) remains committed to ongoing commitment to work together in a joint effort to reverse the trends in mental health disorders. SEEHN needs to continue to improve the synergies between national governments, European authorities and civil society to address the links between mental health, poverty and social inequality, access to universal health coverage and holistic well-being.
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Particular emphasis should be placed on the healthcare professionals.
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The SEE Health Network recently conducted a study on workplace stress in health workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results of this study released at the 17th meeting of the SEE Network on Workers Health (SEENWH) on Occupational Health “Health workers during COVID-19 pandemics” revealed in the Network member states different levels of stress, burnout, depersonalization experienced by frontline health professionals caused by both high job and organizational demand and low job satisfaction.
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The SEEHN strongly encourages its Member States to take urgent action to protect the mental wellbeing of the health professionals and to further extend resources to fight the silent mental health pandemic. We must continue to work to strengthen our European commitment to mental health as a rights-based approach, to provide us with the tools we need to effectively address the adverse world we live in today.
Dr Dasic participated and shared the SEEHN experience within the session Strengthening health systems worldwide What next for the EU global health approach?
Dr. Mira Dasic, the Director of SEEHN Secretariat had a meeting on 22 September in Podgorica with Dr Igor Galic, the Director of the Institute of Public Health Montenegro. The RHDC Acting Director, Dr. Milica Stanisic, also attended the Meeting.
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Dr. Dasic explained the organizational structure of the Network, gave an overview of the ongoing and a short reflection on the planned activities and events. Also explained the role of the SEEHN Secretariat and emphasized its importance as the main engine for providing administrative and technical support to the Network’s activities.
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The SEEHN Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) being the main vector of technical expertise were at the center of the discussion. An accent was placed on the work of the RHDC on Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), based in IPH Montenegro.
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Dr. Galic expressed his gratitude for Dr Dasic’s visit, for the fruitful cooperation with the SEEHN Secretariat and the importance of the RHDCs functioning in the past as well as for the future. He suggested new possible joint actions and activities supported by the Secretariat, especially in the area of Cancer screening programs in the Network’s Member States and the region. He said that he is looking forward to continue the activities and to give full support to the RHDC on NCDs, hosted by the IPH MNE.
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The interlocutors concluded that there is space for closer cooperation and agreed to continue searching for opportunities for the enhancement of the work of the Network and all other initiatives related to public health that might be of interest for the Region.
On September 8 2021, Dr. Mira Dasic, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, met with Dr. Jelena Borovinic-Bojovic, Minister of Health of Montenegro.
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The focus of the meeting was on the current cooperation, the potential for improvement in recognized areas, the planned projects in the upcoming period and how to strengthen and enhance the work of the Regional Health Development Centers (RHDC).
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The COVID -19 pandemic has made it critically clear how utterly important is solidarity and our collective responsibility to exit the exceptional circumstances we face today.
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Sustained efforts to ensure a coherent health security design and to strengthen the surveillance of emerging diseases is a regional necessity. By working together for a strong SEEHN, we can ensure that the SEE region is better prepared for future crises. This will contribute to achieve good health, well-being and prosperity in the countries of the SEE region.
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These principles are also set out in the SEEHN Joint Statement address for the forthcoming WHO EURO RC meeting on 13-14 September.
This year, the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) celebrates its 20th anniversary.
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Today, the Network is a success story of impactful regional cooperation to promote shared values and to encourage mutual efforts towards peace, health and well-being of the people of SEEHN Member States.
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Yet the beginnings of its creation are a very vivid reflection of the dramatic transition that the region has overcome in the last 2 decades.
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During the ’90s, the countries in South Eastern Europe faced great challenges. Plagued by conflict, political unrest, slow economic growth and historic divisions, after the fall of the communism in East Europe, the possibility of establishing dynamic networks of cooperation in the region appeared unlikely.
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It was not until 2001, that under the umbrella of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, and thanks to the remarkable efforts of the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Europe, the Council of Europe and the Council of Europe Development Bank, that the time seemed ready for a process of cross-border cooperation between the Balkan states not only in the political arena but also in the field of public health.
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It was for the first time in the process of rebuilding a region when health was seen as an engine of well-being and social and economic development and considered as a potential common ground for cooperation projects that could have a significant impact on social cohesion.
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This was the long-awaited unique opportunity to start exploratory discussions for regional health cooperation that took place in Sofia and Bucharest, which would lead to the remarkable result of the creation of the first cross-border health policy alliance in the region. In fact, having coutries in the region sit together was itself an achievement.
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The signing of the Dubrovnik Pledge, in September 2001, by seven of its Member States: and the creation of SEEHN has been recognized as a major political success for peace and cross-border cooperation. Countries that were once being pulled apart by conflict were coming together to benefit from the regional interconnection.
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The South-Eastearn Europe Health Network was established thanks to the hard work and dedication of excellent individuals, that should be recognized for their contribution and awareness that the Network is a vehicle for peace, health development and wealth.
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But personal ties alone were not enough to stitch these countries together in a way that would have widespread benefit. Further Agreements needed to be concluded and perfected to ensure the smooth functioning of the Network that would allow it to implement its commitments. New areas of cooperation needed to be added in response to the societal challenges and new memberships needed to be perfected adding new milestones to the history and to define the identity of a Network that allowed it to evolve towards an instrument of joint progress in the region that it is today.
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In addition to this, its enduring and dynamic partnership network with international organizations, European countries, nongovernmental organizations, and other institutions have provided strong political, technical and financial support and cooperation. This have helped the Network to strengthen regional health policies, implement health projects in key public health areas of regional concern and establish Regional Health Development Centers.
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For the past two decades, SEEHN has paved the way for health, peace, social inclusion, economic development, wealth, well-being and sustainable development. This is the story of a dream, a true story of a fairy tale that deserves to be told, so that future generations can know and keep alive this legacy.
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This year, two decades after its founding, in a time of great uncertainty, we can still celebrate the past as we look to the future. But we must think hard about what we want the next 20 years to bring.
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Today, the nine Member States of the Network, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel, Montenegro, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania and Serbia stand united, working together in a region abundant with human and natural resources, cultural treasures and growing markets, ready to face the challenges of the present and those that are to come.
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Twenty years from now, we hope the SEEHN countries will find new horizons to upgrade the cooperation in the health field inspiring the region to blossom into an area of prosperity and opportunity beyond what we can envision.
Dr Mira Dasic met Counselor Mr. Dimitar Karastoyanov, Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria to North Macedonia, on 28 July 2021.
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Dr Dasic presented the SEE Health Network and its recent most important activities. A particular attention was payed to the Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) as hubs of regional expertise with focus on the RHDC on Antimicrobial Resistance hosted by the Republic of Bulgaria. She underlined the ways and possibilities on how to strengthen the national and regional capacities to enable adequate response to this increasingly important topic.
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The counterparts discussed the prospective of the future collaboration at the multilayer level and at the level of the member state of the SEEHN. Health Regional cooperation needs to continue with activities to build resilience and to strengthen the Health systems in the SEE Region to the benefit of our populations.
H.E. Ms. Nevena Jovanovic, Ambassador of Republic of Serbia to the Republic of North Macedonia hosted a fruitful meeting on 07 July 2021. The meeting was organized under the auspices of the Serbian Presidency of the SEE Health Network (January-December 2021). During the meeting Dr. Dasic presented the current and future activities of the Network with focus on the celebration of the anniversary “20 years of SEEHN”.
On 30 June 2021 a joint SEEHN and SECID meeting, dedicated to the “Management of Covid-19 Vaccination Process – Challenges, Threats & Best Practices” was organized
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Address by Dr Mira Dasic, Director of SEEHN Secretariat
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Dear colleagues,
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Ladies and gentlemen,
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I have the pleasure to greet you, today, on behalf of the SEEHN Secretariat at this joint Meeting organized by SECID, SEEHN RHDC on Communicable Diseases Surveillance and Control, hosted by Albania. The meeting is dedicated to the “Management of Covid-19 Vaccination Process – Challenges, Threats & Best Practices”. This topic is of extreme importance for the SEE region.
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We witness a complicated and sensitive situation related to COVID-19 vaccination in terms of availability, distribution, access, vaccine hesitance etc. I will deliberately leave details aside and emphasize that the aim of this meeting is to bring together SEE countries to identify key challenges of the COVID -19 vaccination process management, threats they bring for the mass vaccination and share good practices and lessons learned during the rollout.
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I am very keen to hear the already acquired experience so far, the challenges, along with the countries’ presentations.
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By sharing and exchanging openly successes and failures, we can accelerate progress and prevent or improve the situation effectively.
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I am grateful to you all for the time you will dedicate to this Regional discussion, yet again; I believe this will prove that solidarity can bring benefit that no money can buy.
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Wishing us all health and a successful webinar, thank you for your attention.
Dr Mira Dasic, the head of the Secretariat of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network co-hosted the ToT COVID-19 Vaccine Training for Frontline Health Workers Closing ceremony that was held on the 29th of June in a virtual format.
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More than120 participants ranging from health professionals to hospital administrators and policy-makers from 9 Member States of the Network completed the training process and were conferred certificates of attendance.
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The participants extended their appreciation and congratulations for the excellent organization and content of the training and shared their hope to be involved to further initiatives of the SEEHN Network.
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This initiative was launched back in the first quarter of this year by the SEEHN, in partnership with Project Hope and the Brown University to support the SEEHN Member States in their fight to contain the spread of the virus, to ensure better preparedness and to promote large-scale vaccination on evidence-based scientific grounds.
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The specific aim of the training was to provide health workers involved in the implementation of COVID-19 vaccination with adequate knowledge and skills for a rapid, safe and efficient response.
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The package consisted of 3 modules, which included lectures, quizzes, success stories and downloadable presentations with the available information.
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The ToT COVID-19 Vaccine Training for Frontline Health Workers has shown itself to be an outstanding example of the huge commitment and mobilization efforts. The training roll-out within the SEEHN Member States, estimated at more than 1200 end beneficiaries, stands proof of the effectiveness of the initiative.
Thank you to Nurses and Midwives Association of North Macedonia for the plaque and for recognizing SEEHN work and efforts to support nursing in the region. Looking forward to further collaboration.
Every year, on 14 June, across the globe, we celebrate the World Blood Donor Day. Its aim is to raise awareness on:
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the need for unpaid and safe blood donations;
to praise and to thank regular blood donors; and
to encourage more people to give blood on a regular basis.
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What is different this year from others in the past?
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It seems the COVID-19 pandemic just increased the inequality gap and the access to free and safe blood.
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Interesting facts
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The human blood does not have a substitute and one donation can save three lives. Every couple of seconds someone around the world needs blood. Blood transfusions save millions of lives each year, both in emergency and non-emergency situations.
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It needs to be highlighted that the services providing safe blood and blood products are an essential element of every health care system.
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This year’scampaign
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The World Blood Donor Day slogan is “Give blood and keep the world beating”. We are one click away one from each other; in this case, we are one beat of the heart away! The South Eastern Europe Health Network joins the celebration of the World Blood Donor Day. SEEHN stands for solidarity and universality in needs and access to safe blood and blood products. Join our cause and donate one heartbeat to someone in need!
The director of the South East Europe Health Network Secretariat participated at the 17th Meeting of the South East Europe Network for Workers’ Health, on 10 June 2021.
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Address by Dr Mira Dasic, Director of SEEHN Secretariat
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Dear Prof Bislimovska, Esteemed guests and colleagues,
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Thank you for inviting me and the representatives, from the SEEHN Member States, to attend the 17th Meeting of the SEE Network for Workers’ Health, dedicated to the “HCW workers during COVID-19 pandemics: lessons learned from the South-eastern Europe”
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During this COVID – 19 pandemics the mental health toll has risen and specialists predict huge repercussions mainly affecting the most vulnerable populations, adolescents and healthcare workers.
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The emergency response and the day-to-day activities rely on the health workers who are required to double the effort and this in particular requires the psychological strength. Amid all these challenges, SEEHN in partnership with the SEE Network for Workers’ Health team carried out a study in the SEE countries to explore the impact of the crisis on the health workforce.
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It is extremely important to have documented information on the situation and to draw lessons for both national and regional levels on what can be done in short, medium and long run to protect and improve the healthcare workers’ health and well-being. Ultimately, we need to focus on advocacy for tailored solutions for the safety of our people that guarantee the success of the emergency response and the resilience of our health systems.
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The Covid-19 pandemics has revealed our health systems safety shortcomings. Without doubt, this crisis has put an unprecedented strain on the health workforce, as it has demanded significant clinical resources that challenged staff wellbeing.
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I am looking forward to hear what are the results of our study based on which we should build and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
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We need to join forces to accelerate an equitable and sustainable recovery.
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I am pleased to see such a large participation today. I am hopeful that our regional commitment combined with professional strategic guidance can maximize country-based health outcomes.
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Finally, I wish to emphasize that this initiative is the solid proof of the benefit of our joint efforts that would not have been possible without a strong partnership between the South-Eastern Europe Health Network and the SEE Network for Workers’ Health.
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Only with collective activities, we are able to identify strategic directions and to pledge for their implementation, in order to protect our health workers. This way we can lead transformation with a human-based approach in the Region, by putting people at the forefront of our decisions.
