South-Eastern Europe Joins Forces to Address Maternal and Newborn Health Challenges Online Consultation Gathers Regional Stakeholders Under the Theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”

South-Eastern Europe Joins Forces to Address Maternal and Newborn Health Challenges Online Consultation Gathers Regional Stakeholders Under the Theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures”

News, RHDC Romania, RHDC Romania - Sexual and Reproductive Health

On 28 May 2025,  the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), in collaboration with WHO/Europe and the Regional Health Development Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health (hosted by Romania), successfully convened a regional online consultation on maternal and newborn health today, uniting representatives from ministries of health, health professionals, and international partners.

Held in the spirit of World Health Day 2025’s theme “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” the consultation offered a dynamic platform to assess progress, exchange best practices, and identify priorities to strengthen maternal and newborn health systems across SEEHN Member States.

Opening remarks were delivered by Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat, Director of the Division of Country Health Policies and Systems at WHO Regional Office for Europe, and Dr. Tatiana Păduraru, Acting Head of the SEEHN Secretariat. Both highlighted the importance of regional solidarity and systems thinking in ensuring safe and equitable care for mothers and newborns.

The keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Oleg Kuzmenko, WHO Regional Office for Europe’s Technical Officer on Sexual and Reproductive Health, who presented an overview of regional priorities, persistent gaps, and emerging opportunities. His insights reflected the need for innovative, data-driven, and equity-focused approaches to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.

SEEHN Member States—Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia—shared national updates on challenges, innovations, and best practices. Presentations highlighted successful interventions, remaining inequities, and areas requiring additional resources or collaboration. The moderated discussion aimed at creating space for dialogue on lessons learned, joint capacity-building, and the potential for cross-border collaboration. Speakers and participants collectively identified priority areas including midwifery training, community-based care, data systems, and health workforce development.

In the closing remarks, Dr. Mihai Horga, Director of the SEEHN RHDC on Sexual and Reproductive Health (Romania) and event moderator, underscored the value of these collective platforms in advancing evidence-based and inclusive strategies across the region.

SEEHN and its partners extend gratitude to all contributors and reaffirm their dedication to supporting Member States in translating today’s reflections into impactful action—ensuring every mother and newborn in South-Eastern Europe has the opportunity for a healthy beginning and a hopeful future.

SEEHN a.i. Director Dr. Tatiana Păduraru Highlights Regional Leadership in Midwifery and Nursing at High-Level Event, organized in Bucharest, Romania – held on 8 May 2025

SEEHN a.i. Director Dr. Tatiana Păduraru Highlights Regional Leadership in Midwifery and Nursing at High-Level Event, organized in Bucharest, Romania – held on 8 May 2025

News, RHDC Romania

The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the professions of midwifery and nursing across the region at a landmark event held in Bucharest. Dr. Tatiana Păduraru, a.i. Director of SEEHN, delivered the opening address, emphasizing the vital role of midwives and nurses in delivering safe, accessible, and high-quality health services, particularly in maternal and neonatal care.
The event, organized under the auspices of SEEHN’s Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) for Reproductive and Sexual Health and for Nursing and Midwifery, brought together distinguished guests, health professionals, and policymakers from across South Eastern Europe. Dr. Păduraru praised the Romanian Order of Nurses, Midwives, and Medical Assistants (OAMGMAMR) for its exemplary leadership in coordinating the RHDC for Nursing and Midwifery, which stands as a testament to Romania’s and SEEHN’s commitment to excellence in health education, practice, and policy.
“SEEHN is proud to serve as a platform for cooperation, solidarity, and sustainable development among its ten member states,” Dr. Păduraru stated. “Our collective efforts, particularly through the RHDCs, are strengthening the roles of nurses and midwives as cornerstones of resilient and equitable health systems throughout the region.”
Dr. Păduraru also announced a major upcoming milestone: on May 21, during the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva, SEEHN will co-host a side event alongside the Romanian Ministry of Health, OAMGMAMR, and international partners from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Jordan. The event will focus on empowering nurses and midwives to build resilient, people-centered health systems and will highlight the region’s contributions to global health debates.
Looking ahead, SEEHN reiterated its dedication to fostering close collaboration with national and regional partners, including the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, to promote policies that value and support the midwifery profession at every stage of life-from birth to prevention and community care.

Dr. Păduraru concluded by commending the dedication, professionalism, and humanity of health professionals throughout the region, encouraging them to remain ambassadors of positive change and compassionate, equitable care.

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RHDC Romania

RHDC Romania, RHDC Romania - Sexual and Reproductive Health, RHDCs

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RHDC on Sexual and Reproductive Health, Romania

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The South-eastern Health Network (SEEHN) is pleased to announce the designation of a New Regional Health Development Centre on Sexual and Reproductive Health, hosted by the East European Institute of Reproductive Health (EEIRH) in Romania.
Romania is a strong example of success and continued regional cooperation in the area of sexual and reproductive health.  In its capacity as EU Member State, Romania is ready to share with its partners in the Network the experience gathered during the accession and integration process and to promote the EU principles and policies in this particular health area.
In the last 20 years, the East European Institute of Reproductive Health in Romania has been providing valuable technical assistance in sexual and reproductive health to countries in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, including several SEEHN Member States.  EEIRH is also acting as a UNFPA regional partner, promoting the right of women and men to sexual and reproductive health, the right to a life without gender-based violence and to a healthy and dignified ageing.  To fulfill this mission, EEIRH provides policy advisory work, consultancy and technical assistance, develops and implements research, training and communication programmes and projects.  In all its activities, EEIRH promotes dialogue, partnerships and international cooperation with commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular Goals 3 and 5, through the combined efforts of governments, civil society organizations and the private sector, in the context of a stronger and more effective partnership for development.

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Dr. Mihai Horga – Director of the RHDC

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East European Institute for Reproductive Health
n1 Moldovei St.
nTirgu-Mures, Romania
nTel.: +40 265 255532, +40 265 255931
nMobile: +40 744 602488
nE-mail: [email protected]
nwww.eeirh.org

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RHDC Romania

RHDC Romania, RHDC Romania - Blood Safety, RHDCs

RHDC on Blood Safety

(Oradea, Romania)

Established to act as a strategic and methodological structure in blood transfusion safety, the Regional Health Development Centre for Blood Safety (RHDC BS) was officially inaugurated in January 2011 in Oradea, Romania.

As a reference point in permanent contact with the SEEHN Executive Committee and other specialized centers both in the South-Eastern Europe and throughout the European Union, the RHDC BS provides trainings to health professionals in the field of blood transfusion and blood supply management aiming to strengthen the partnerships and capacity of response in blood safety and availability for emergencies and special circumstances in the Region.

  • Contact
Mrs. Olivia Burta 

Director of the SEEHN RHDC on blood safety in Romania

 Ministry of Health 

Intr. Cristian Popişteanu, nr. 1-3, sector 1,

010024 Bucharest, Romania

Tel: +4 021 3072 500

Mobile: 0040 723 581 880

E-mail: [email protected]