SEEHN Concludes High-Level Digital Health Expert Meeting in Sofia: A Milestone Towards Regional Interoperability and Universal Health Coverage

SEEHN Concludes High-Level Digital Health Expert Meeting in Sofia: A Milestone Towards Regional Interoperability and Universal Health Coverage

Expert meeting, News

Sofia, Bulgaria—10 April 2025—The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria, successfully concluded a high-level expert meeting today on the theme “Towards Universal Health Coverage—Give Health an e-Chance!”

The meeting brought together representatives from SEEHN Member States, digital health leaders, policymakers, and regional experts in Sofia to explore the transformative role of digital health in strengthening health systems and accelerating progress towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The event featured national case studies and shared experiences from Bulgaria, Israel, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Serbia. The Bulgarian Ministry of Health presented the country’s advancements in digital health infrastructure, including integrating health information systems and digital transformation strategies.

Ms Dobromira Kareva Deputy Minister of Health, represented Minister Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov, MD, Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria, and highlighted on his behalf that:” the process of introducing e-Health require serious efforts, as well as active cooperation between individual institutions and countries, with a view to building sustainable, accessible and patient-oriented health systems…”

In her opening remarks, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Acting Head of the SEEHN Secretariat, emphasized the importance of building regional capacity and policy coherence to ensure digital health contributes effectively to accessibility, efficiency, and resilience in healthcare.

Key discussions focused on:

  • Interoperability of health systems across borders;
  • Alignment with the European Health Data Space (EHDS);
  • Policy frameworks that support the ethical and secure exchange of health data;
  • Strengthening digital health governance and innovation ecosystems.

The closing session, led by Professor Immanuel Azaad Moonesar R.D. of the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, showcased global perspectives and valuable policy lessons from the UAE on regional digital health integration.

This expert meeting was vital in fostering cross-border collaboration and shaping a shared digital health vision for the SEEHN region. Participants jointly identified strategic priorities for regional cooperation, including interoperability, cybersecurity, and capacity-building.

SEEHN remains committed to supporting its Member States in harnessing the power of digital technologies to improve health outcomes and equity across Southeastern Europe.

South-Eastern European Region Marks World Health Day 2025

South-Eastern European Region Marks World Health Day 2025

News, World Health Day

The South-Eastern European Health Network (SEEHN) proudly joins the global community in marking World Health Day 2025 under the theme “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures.”
This year’s theme emphasizes the critical importance of improving maternal and newborn health and survival, ensuring that every child is given the best possible start in life and that no mother is left behind.
To mark the day, the SEEHN, the RHDC on sexual and reproductive health, hosted by Romania, together with the WHO and will host an online consultation titled “Maternal and Newborn Health Challenges in South East Europe.” The consultation will bring together health professionals, policymakers, and key stakeholders from the region and provide a collaborative platform to exchange insights, highlight country-specific challenges, and explore solutions for enhancing maternal and newborn health outcomes across the region.
The event will take place virtually on 28 May 2025 and will include:
✅ Country presentations offering snapshots of current national efforts, challenges, and strategies in maternal and newborn health.
✅ An interactive, moderated discussion to foster shared learning, identify common obstacles, and uncover opportunities for cross-country collaboration.
✅ Key messages, actionable recommendations, and commitments to regional cooperation.
This initiative underscores SEEHN’s commitment to aligning with WHO’s global objectives and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to maternal and child health. Following the consultation, a comprehensive report will be published outlining the main outcomes and pathways forward for coordinated regional action.
Together, SEEHN and WHO reaffirm that healthy beginnings pave the way for hopeful futures for individuals, families, and entire communities across South-east Europe.
Credits
WHO/C. Abella-Pixabay
SEEHN Member States Convene in Podgorica for a Technical Meeting on Strengthening NCD Surveillance

SEEHN Member States Convene in Podgorica for a Technical Meeting on Strengthening NCD Surveillance

News, RHDC Montenegro

Podgorica, Montenegro—On 25 and 26 March 2025, SEEHN organized a technical meeting in Podgorica on NCD Population-Based Surveys in the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Member States.

Hosted by the Institute of Public Health of Montenegro, the initiative reinforced the region’s dedication to enhancing non-communicable disease (NCD) surveillance and fostering data-driven public health policies. The event provided a platform for collaboration and knowledge exchange with representatives from SEEHN Member States, public health experts, and key international partners—including the WHO Regional Office for Europe.

 Among the distinguished speakers and moderators were:

  • Dr. Snežana Barjaktarević Labović, Acting Director, Institute of Public Health of Montenegro
  • Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Acting Director, SEEHN Secretariat
  • Dr. Ivana Zivkovic, General Director, Directorate for Public Health, Ministry of Health, Montenegro
  • Dr. Ivo Rakovac, Regional Adviser on NCD Surveillance, WHO Regional Office for Europe
  • Experts from various SEEHN Member States presenting country-specific experiences

Over two days, participants engaged in plenary discussions, roundtable sessions, and country presentations, covering critical topics such as:

  • Best practices and challenges in conducting NCD population-based surveys
  • Financial and sustainability models for long-term NCD surveillance
  • Using survey data for policy development and health system transformation
  • Strengthening regional collaboration and aligning with WHO standards

The meeting fostered a dynamic dialogue to address NCD data collection, standardization, sustainability, and policy utilization challenges.

By sharing insights and experiences, participants explored opportunities to create a more effective and harmonized approach to NCD surveillance across the region. The meeting also outlined several key outcomes, including developing actionable recommendations for sustainable NCD data collection and the need to support SEEHN Member States in aligning with WHO guidelines to close the gap with other European countries.

The conclusions drawn from this meeting will serve as a roadmap for SEEHN Member States, guiding them toward more robust NCD data systems and evidence-based policy approaches. With continued collaboration, these efforts are expected to enhance public health strategies and outcomes in the region significantly.