SUMMARY REPORT On the Expert Meeting on the Value of Primary Healthcare System Strengthening in the South-eastern European Region Ljubljana, Slovenia, 6–7 November 2018

THE REPORT ON THE 40th PLENARY MEETING OF THE SEE HEALTH NETWORK

The 40th SEEHN Plenary Meeting under the subject “Ensuring Primary Health Care for Aging Population in the South Eastern Europe” was held in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 11 July 2018, organized jointly by the Presidency of the State of Israel and SEEHN Secretariat.

 National Health Coordinators of SEEHN Member States, partner countries and partner international organisations, SEEHN Regional Health Development Centres (RHDC) directors and some of the Ambassadors of the SEEHN Member States accredited to Israel attended the event. The final list of participants is presented in Annex 1 of this Report.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the SEEHN major developments, activities and challenges during the term of the Israeli Presidency (SEEHN Presidency Report January – June 2018) and the future presidency (June 2018 – June 2019, Republic of Macedonia).

As a follow-up to the commitments of the SEE Ministers of Health, as stipulated in the Chisinau Pledge, endorsed during their Fourth Ministerial Forum in 2017, as well as based on the priorities agreed in the Israeli Presidency Roadmap of the SEEHN in 2018, the 40th Plenary dealt with several important strategic matters:

  1. Discussing and approving the Chisinau Pledge Action Plan 2017‐2020, objectives, measures and health indicators, as a Strategic Framework for the SEE Member States,
  2. Identifying what follow-up actions are required to ensure the commitments of the ‘Statement of Intent’, as an outcome document of the Montenegro Ministerial Meeting, continue to be implemented, and to better understand what joint actions, partnership and collaboration can be strengthened and scaled up to tackle shared immunisation programme challenges at the SEE regional level,
  3. Further strengthening of the working relationship between SEEHN Member States, partners and stakeholders.
  4. Taking stock of the Ministerial Meeting outcomes on “Ensuring Primary Health Care for the Aging Population”, held on 10 July in Tel Aviv, and ensuring follow‐up action at the SEE regional level.

Additionally, the Plenary took important decisions on the following priority technical and business issues: SEEHN Secretariat (programme, administrative and financial issues and ongoing activities); RHDCs (final draft SOPs and agreement to approve the document in the following two weeks); SEEHN Memorandum of Understanding (outcome of the technical meeting of the SEEHN legal advisers held on 17-18 May 2018 in Belgrade, Serbia); EC/TAIEX (challenges and activities in implementing the Action Plan); partners (joint activities); and, finally, a new strategic project proposal relating to the establishment of a Regional Health Information Centre in partnership with WHO EURO.

Montenegro – World Health Day, 2018

Organizovanjem Nacionalne konferencije, pod nazivom: “Ulaganje u prevenciju: put boljeg zdravlja”, Ministarstvo zdravlja, u saradnji sa Kancelarijom Svjetske zdravstvene organizacije obilježilo je 07. april – Svjetski dan zdravlja.

Direktorica Direktorata za zdravstvenu zaštitu dr Alma Hajdarpašić Drešević, u uvodnom obraćanju istakla je da je Vlada Crne Gore u potpunosti posvećenja obezbjeđivanju kvalitetne zdravstvene zaštite građanima, svjesna činjenice da je ulaganje u prevenciju bolesti ulaganje u zdravlje nacije.

– Sprovodeći vladinu politiku Ministarstvo zdravlja u kontinuitetu radi na jačanju nacionalnih kapaciteta, promociji multisektorkse saradnje, u cilju smanjivanja izloženosti štetnim riziko faktorima, jačanju zdravstvenog sistema i sistema praćenja napretka u ostvarivanju ciljeva za kontrolu hroničnih nezaraznih bolesti. U tom cilju osnovan je Nacionalni savjeta za koordinaciju i prevenciju hroničnih nezaraznih bolesti u Crnoj Gori, kojim presjedava Premijer, a članovi su ministri većine resora u Vladi Crne Gore, s ciljem jačanja odgovornosti svih resora za zdravlje i njegovu integraciju u sve sektorske politike. Intencija je da Savjet posluži kao platforma za obezbjedjivanje koherentnosti sektorskih politika u smanjivanju mortaliteta od osnovnih kategorije hroničnih nezaraznih oboljenja, kao i da ubrza združeno djelovanje u pravcu efikasne kontrole vodećih i zajedničkih riziko faktora za nastanak hroničnih nezaraznih oboljenja i jačanje zdravstvenog sistema, istakla je dr Drešević.

Ministartsvu zdravlja, prema njenim riječima, preventiva i aktivnosti na poboljšanju i unapređenju zdravih životnih stilova su u fokusu rada i djelovanja. Preventivnim pregledima se sprečava pojava bolesti, odnosno otkriva oboljenje u najranijoj fazi kada još nema simptoma, a kada je u najvećem broju slučajeva moguće pravovremeno i adekvatno liječenje.

– Jasni su i već vidljivi javno zdravstveni benefiti sprovodjenja tri skrining programa koja se sprovode u Crnoj Gori. Skrining karcinoma dojke radi se u četiri opštine: Podgorica, Danilovgrad, Cetinje i Kolašin, s ciljem smanjenja smrtnosti za 15% u periodu od 5 godina. Tokom ove godine planirano je da počne da se sprovodi na teritoriji cijele Crne Gore. Skrining karcinoma debelog crijeva na nacionalnom nivou uspješno se sprovodi preko pet godina, uz veoma dobar odziv građana. Od 01. februara ove godine počeo je da se sprovodi Nacionalni skrining program prevencije karcinoma grlića materice. Na preventivne preglede i dijagnostiku pozivaju se žene određene starosne dobi, kako bi preduprijedili nastanak i širenje ove bolesti, koja je poslije karcinoma dojke, najčešće maligno oboljenje kod žena. Zahvaljujući dobro organizovanom skrining programu može se da spriječi i do 80% slučajeva obolijevanja raka grlića materice, otkrivajući malignu degeneraciju u preinvazivnoj fazi, naglasila je dr Drešević.

Kao još jedan važan preventivni i efikasan način zaštite zdravlja dr Drešević je navela i imunizaciju.

– Svi znamo da vakcinacijom spašavamo živote i zato nam je cilj da dopremo do svakog pojedinca na lokalnom nivou kako bismo ostvarili što veći obuhvat vakcinacije. Zdravstveni radnici, prije svega ljekari roditeljima objašnjavaju koliko je važna redovna vakcinacija njihove djece i kolikom se riziku izlažu ukoliko ih ne vakcinišu.

Generalni direktor Direktorata za javno zdravlje dr Miro Knežević prezentovao je imunizacioni program koji ima Crna Gora. On je naveo da je do 2014. godine u našoj zemlji bio izuzetno visok obuhvat vakcinacije, kada je počela antivakcinalna kampanja, zahvaljujući kojoj se od tada pa do prošle godine bilježi smanjivanje broja vakcinisane djece.

– Pad obuhvata MMR vakcinom u Crnoj Gori je 2016. godine bio najniži u istoriji imunizacije i iznosio je 46,58 procenata. Stoga je Ministarstvo zdravlja preduzelo niz konkretnih koraka kako bismo preduprijedili fatalne posljedice sa kojim se susreće cijela Evropa. Organizovali smo jaku medijsku kampanju, intezivirali smo razgovore sa roditeljima i u saradnji sa Institutom za javno zdravlje i domovima zdravlja, organizovali vanredne vakcinacije, pa je tako od avgusta prošle godine do sada, na teritoriji Crne Gore obuhvat vakcinacije MMR vakcinom povećan na 78,98% .

Dr Knežević je podsjetio da je, u cilju edukacije i stručne i laičke javnosti, Ministarstvo zdravlja organizovalo niz skupova o imunizaciji.

– U oktobru 2017. godine u organizaciji Ministarstva zdravlja i SZO održan je Regionalni sastanak o imunizacijama na kojem su učestvovale 53 zemlje sa oko 180 stručnjaka. Pored toga, Ministarstvo zdravlja, Institut za javno zdravlje, Dom zdravlja Podgorica, kao i ostali Domovi zdravlja, su organizovali veliki broj tribina sa pedijatrima i roditeljima kao i veliki broj javnih i medijskih nastupa. Uspješno je sprovedena i medijska kampanja „Ne damo djecu bolestima“, u okviru koje je snimljen promotivni spot o značaju vakcinacije, a koji se prikazivao u svim elektronskim medijima. U februaru 2018. godine u organizaciji Ministarstva zdravlja i Kancelarije SZO u Crnoj Gori organizovan je i Ministarski sastanak zemalje Jugoistočne Evrope. Pored Crne Gore Regionalnoj konferenciji su prisustvovali i ministri zdravlja Malte, Makedonije, Moldavije, Bosne i Hercegovine, Republike Srpske, Albanije i Rumunije, kao i visoki predstavnici zdravstvenih sistema Srbije, Hrvatske, Izraela i Bugarske. Skup je bio prilika da se sagleda učinjeni progres u oblasti imunizacije u Evropi i govori o izazovima i problemima sa kojima se suočava svaka od zemalja kada je u pitanju podizanje i održavanje stepena vakcinacije na željenom nivou.

S obzirom da se danas region suočava sa pojavom i epidemijom zaraznih bolesti, koje su praktično decenijama bile iskorijenjene, važno je da se i sa ovog mjesta pošalju jasne poruke i apel roditeljima da vakcinišitu svoju djecu, kako bi im stvorili preduslove za njihovu zdravu i srećnu budućnost, rekao je dr Knežević.

BOOSTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH 2020 AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

BOOSTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH 2020 AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE

The South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) was established in 2001 to promote peace, reconciliation and health in south-eastern Europe and contribute to preparing the countries in the region for European Union integration. Its vision remains to achieve better health and well-being in south-eastern Europe through the collaborative efforts of SEEHN member states and partners. Since its inception, SEEHN has developed into a broad partnership for health that brings together southeastern European countries and organizations focused on improving health and well-being. The World Health Organization (WHO), SEEHN’s founding organization, has remained its most important partner, providing guidance and support to its policy and technical endeavours from 2001 until today. The most recent South-eastern European Health Ministers’ Forum, held in 2017 in Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, reflected on 15 years of regional collaboration in public health and endorsed the Chisinau Pledge, which presents the SEEHN framework for action until 2020. The Forum emphasized the complex and significant contribution of SEEHN to health and well-being, which in turn has had a positive impact on peace, stability and economic development in south-eastern Europe. The Forum highlighted the active role of SEEHN in influencing public health developments in both south-eastern Europe and in Europe as a whole, and in supporting its members in their response to international commitments. SEEHN ministers and partners agreed on the vast potential of SEEHN to deliver on the contemporary policy agenda, primarily related to the WHO European policy for health and well-being Health 2020 and the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This document has multiple goals: to reflect on SEEHN’s developments as a source of experience and knowledge, and on their potential to meet the demands of the contemporary context of health and well-being; to inform on SEEHN governance structures that are able to support future collaborative efforts for health and well-being in south-eastern Europe; to share examples of SEEHN’s success in leading and influencing positive health developments in south-eastern Europe; to set out a clear model for future collaboration with WHO and other partners; and to emphasize the exemplary role of the WHO Regional Office for Europe as an enabler and supporter of influential alliances for better health and well-being in the European Region.

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BOOSTING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF HEALTH 2020 AND THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE 
Meeting with Executive Director of the European Center for Peace and Development University for Peace SEEHN Partner

Meeting with Executive Director of the European Center for Peace and Development University for Peace SEEHN Partner

Belgrade September 7th, 2017nDr. Mira Jovanovski-Dašić, Head of the SEEHN Secretariat had a productive meeting with Academician Prof. Dr. Negoslav Ostojić, Executive Director of the European Center for Peace and Development University for Peace (ECPD) established by the United Nations.nECPD is SEEHN Partner as of 2014.nThis occasion was used for signing the Chisinau Pledge by the ECPD, as well as for discussions on strengthening and intensifying the collaboration between the ECPD and the SEEHN.nDr. Dašić informed the Director and the members of the ECPD Secretariat about the SEEHN’s on-going and upcoming activities and plans for the strengthening and broadening of the network.nAcademician Ostojić particularly emphasized the need and importance of regional networking and cooperation in the field of health and informed Dr. Dašić about international and regional activities and programs organized by the ECPD in this important area, especially in the SEE countries. Particular consideration was given to the possibility of more active cooperation and jointly organized educational programs in the field of health management, health economics, health diplomacy, promotion of reproductive health, prevention of dependency diseases and mass non-communicable diseases, etc. It has been agreed to include on the List of SEEHN experts some of the prominent experts of the ECPD.

REPORT OF THE FOURTH SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE HEALTH MINISTERIAL FORUM on “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE BY 2030 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”  CHISINAU, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA on 03-04 APRIL 2017

REPORT OF THE FOURTH SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE HEALTH MINISTERIAL FORUM on “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE BY 2030 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”  CHISINAU, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA on 03-04 APRIL 2017

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REPORT OF THE FOURTH SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE HEALTH MINISTERIAL FORUM on   “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE BY 2030 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT”  CHISINAU, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA on 03-04 APRIL 2017

Regional cooperation in health governance – the case of the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) – Alain Nellen

Regional cooperation in health governance – the case of the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) – Alain Nellen

Health – from a contributor to peace-building to an integral part of economic development and prosperitynnAbstractnnThis paper argues that through the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), the health sector has proven to be a post-conflict recovery platform after the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia, which were marked with regional political, social and economic turmoil. SEEHN contributed to reconciliation, peace and stability in south-eastern Europe. Serving as a platform for trust-building, it has brought countries to the same table to pool together resources among stakeholders and establish a shared vision by implementing joint regional projects on common health concerns. Over the years, SEEHN has shifted its vision towards promoting health as an integral part of economic development through a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. However, SEEHN is facing new and ongoing challenges, both internal and external, that put it at risk of operational stagnation and undermine its sustainability.nn nnKeywordsnnSouth-eastern Europe Health NetworknnIntergovernmental cooperation in healthnnNetwork governance theorynnExternal partnersnnHealth as a Bridge for PeacennShared vision and trust-buildingnnHealth and economic developmentnnHealth in All PoliciesnnWhole-of-government and whole-of-society approachnnHealth equalitynnEU integration process

The Report of the 37th Plenary Meeting of the South-eastern Europe (SEE) Health Network, 28–29 June 2016 in Sarajevo

The Report of the 37th Plenary Meeting of the South-eastern Europe (SEE) Health Network, 28–29 June 2016 in Sarajevo

The 37th Plenary Meeting of the South-eastern Europe (SEE) Health Network was organized under the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina (health authorities in B&H shall include the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare of Republic of Srpska and the Department of Health and Other Services of Brcko District in Bosnia and Herzegovina) in the first half of 2016. It was held on 28–29 June 2016 in Sarajevo and was the first High Level Pre-Forum Event with senior government representatives from the SEEHN countries and their partners, organized jointly by the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the SEEHN Secretariat.

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The focus of the Fourth Forum and, respectfully, of the 37th Plenary Meeting of the SEEHN and High Level Pre-Forum Event  in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina was “Health, Wellbeing and Prosperity in South East Europe in the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030”.

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The 37th Plenary Meeting of the SEEHN and High Level Pre-Forum Event conducted the first round of inter-country consultations on five outcome and background political documents to be ready for Fourth SEE Health Ministerial Forum in Chisinau on 03-04 November 2016. The expected outcome of the 37thPlenary Meeting of the SEEHN and High Level Pre-Forum Event was to discuss and collect the opinions of all SEE governments on the extended sub-regional cooperation for introducing and/or strengthening the values, priority areas, and actions towards achieving better health, well-being and prosperity in the region in the framework of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  2030. A Memorandum of Understanding for partnership with Instituto Superiore di Sanità – URE (ISS), Rome, Italy initially was signed.

nSUMMARY REPORTnn Annex 1 – Pleanry ProgrammennAnnex 2 – List of ParticipantsnnAnnex 3 – Health Economic Footprint in South-eastern Europe: Economic and societal returns on investments in and for health Prof. Dragan GjorgjevnnAnnex 5 – SEE 2020 ImplementationnnAnnex 6 – Roadmap

SEEJPH publishes its third volume

SEEJPH publishes its third volume

The third volume of the open-access international peer-reviewed South Eastern European Journal of Public Health (SEEJPH) has been published online.

The list of research articles and review papers addressing aspects of health sciences and public health in particular, also includes the review paper titled “The South Eastern Europe Health Network: A model for regional collaboration in public health”.

Written by several key participants in the SEEHN operation, the article underlines the importance of inter-country alliances to the economic development and social progress in the past several decades through the example of the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), summarising its main accomplishments and tangible improvements in the regional governance for health.

The third volume of the SEEJPH is available online at the following link.