On the occasion of the World Health Day 2018, SEEHN Secretariat and Regional Health Development Center on Public Health Services hosted by the Institute of Public Health in Skopje, marked the event on Thursday, April 5th at the Best Western Hotel Turist in Skopje.
World Health Organization established April 7th as World Health Day 70 years ago and this year the theme and slogan was “Universal Health Coverage: everyone, everywhere. Health for All”
Addressing the audience Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic, Director of SEEHN Secretariat, underlined that all countries of the SEE region share common economic, environmental, demographic, political, challenges which all combined make a huge impact and diminish universal access to healthcare services, essential quality care and financial protection thus ultimately determining a huge gap of 10 years less in life expectancy comparing to the ones in the EU region.
SEEHN will work intensively with its Member States in the forthcoming period for further upgrading public health services moving towards achieving its commitments from the Chisinau Pledge, which focus on:
Striving universal health coverage for our populations
Increasing public financing for health
Sustaining and strengthening the regional cooperation in public health
Working more closely and efficiently with our partners.
This is what we all can do to achieve UHC at the regional, governmental, individual level by spotting policy-makers’ power to transform the health of their nation and to invite them to be part of the change; by sharing examples on the progress achieved towards UHC and encourage others to find their own path; by providing tools for structured policy dialogue on how to advance UHC nationally and by supporting such efforts at the regional level ( through expanding service coverage, improving quality of services, reducing out-of-pocket payments) pointed out Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic.
She reiterated that SEEHN is committed to further supporting and working in this area and to spreading best practices in every possible occasion.
Our efforts aim to enhance people’s health, and the 2018 slogan “Health for All” shall be the headline of our daily activities that ultimately will drive changes for the other half of population to enjoy high qualitative healthcare services, concluded Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic.
Dr. Luca Rosi, Head of the International Affairs, Italian National Institute of Public Health (Istituto Superiore di Sanita’), on 26th March 2018 paid a visit to the Secretariat premises in Skopje.
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The Director of SEEHN Secretariat Dr. Mira Jovanovski Dasic welcomed Dr Rosi and presented recent developments within SEEHN, the work on the strengthening of the governing bodies of the SEEHN, the preparation of the Chisinau Pledge Action Plan and the activities implemented in the past period.
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The deliberations included current and future plans of SEEHN, comprising the readiness to continue working on public health issues in the SEE Region, strengthening the role of the Secretariat itself and strategic partnerships.
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Interlocutors exchanged opinions regarding possibilities for partner cooperation between the Italian National Institute of Public Health and SEEHN, other opportunities of financing possible bilateral actions and projects, their interconnectivity within multi-stakeholder involvement initiatives.
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Particularly, Dr. Dasic and Dr. Rosi conveyed on key actions to be implemented in the SEE member states reaffirming fundamentals for development, social cohesion and prosperity.
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Key topics in the discussion included:
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To establish a plan for actions to address Public Health challenges especially those with cross-border implications;
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To enhance the technical capacity of experts and infrastructures;
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To provide Technical Assistance for building community resilience skills;
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To develop in the future a permanent forum – open source – for know-how exchange in the SEE Region;
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To support quality training programs in educational institutions in the SEE Region.
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Finally, Dr. Dasic and Dr. Rosi expressed readiness to revive the partnership of SEEHN with the Istituto Superiore di Sanita’. Dr. Rosi assured to provide assistance needed to that extent.
The South‐eastern European countries are coming together in Podgorica, Montenegro on 21 February 2018 to develop a regional action plan for 2 years with specific strategic objectives and activities to implement the Chisinau Pledge.
Nine Member States (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Israel, Montenegro, Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia)are part of the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN).They signed in April 2017 the Chisinau Pledge committing to join action in collaboration with WHO and partners on a range of issues. The objective of the meeting in Podgorica is to discuss how WHO can support the network in implementing these commitments during the 2018-2019 biennium.
“The Chisinau Pledge is an important instrument to ensure the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the sub-region,” says Dr Lucianne Licari, SEEHN Special Representativeof the Regional Director of in the WHO Regional Office for Europe. “WHO as a key partner of the network continues to provide technical support required to Member States, not only through the Biennial Collaborative Agreements (BCAs) signed with individual countries but also in multi-country collaborations across the network.”
National Health Coordinators of the network and SEE representatives of Regional Health Development Centres will participate in the meeting, along with representatives of WHO from the Regional Office for Europe. They will discuss opportunities for achieving the goals and strategic objectivesof the Chisinau Pledge in the SEE region and reaching an agreementon the way forward to address commonchallenges.
“The SEEHN network is dependent on the support of the partner organizations in implementing the commitments made in the Chisinau Pledge,” says Dr Mira Jovanovski Dasic, Head of the Secretariat of the Network. “We appreciate the long-standing partnership we have with WHO and the support the network receives from WHO. We hope other partners of the network will follow the WHO example in supporting the implementation of the pledge.”
The Chisinau Pledge calls upon joint action of the Member states withpartners on:
1. Sustaining and strengthening the regional cooperation in public health by takingdeliberate action to influence governance in other policy arenas to promote and protect health, and
2. Achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by taking advantage of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to renew countries’ commitments to health and to seek intersectoral action to advance the priorities of the European Health 2020 policy framework towards 2030.
The conference, attended by the representatives of SEEHN, has been organized under the auspices of the Presidency of Bulgaria of the Council of the EU.
Obesity among children was spotted as an increasing challenge in the European Region. Thus, healthy nutrition was chosen as a priority to focus on and to promote among European nations. As the majority of the SEEHN Member States aspire to accede to the EU and also encounter the same challenges, the participation of SEEHN was an opportunity to exchange information, best practices and policies in order to improve the health choices on nutrition for the younger generations.
Many aspects of the healthy nutrition have been discussed including the impact of nutrition and food on health: ranging from breastfeeding to epigenetics, healthy eating habits as key health determinant, options on regulating marketing of foods intended for children, Mediterranean diet, Nordic diet, “Baltic diet”,”Balkan diet”- traditional diets and foods and their impact on health, success stories: best practices at national, European and Global level.
Strong support to regional collaboration in improving the health conditions of every citizen
nJanuary, 12th 2018 – Head of the Secretariat of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic met with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Macedonia Doc dr. Venko Filipche and during today’s meeting they discussed about the founding documents of the SEEHN, its organizational structure, the Chisinau Pledge and the forthcoming activities and events.n
Dr Jovanovski Dasic congratulated Doc. Dr Filipche on his recent appointment as Minister of Health of the Republic of Macedonia and she took an opportunity to express special gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for hosting the Secretariat of the SEEHN
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Minister Filipche and Dr. Jovanovski-Dasic agreed that there are many health challenges in the SEE region and regarding this they agreed that the scope and purpose of the forthcoming SEEHN Ministerial Meeting on Immunization, which is going to be held in Podgorica, Montenegro, 20 February 2018., is of the highest importance.
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Minister Filipche recognized the importance of regional collaboration in improving the health conditions of every citizen through the enhancement of public health and health systems, and conveyed his readiness to support the work of the Network.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC) Day, commemorated each 12 December, is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for countries to provide affordable, quality health care to every person, everywhere.
UHC has been included in the new Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations and it means everyone can access the quality health services they need without financial hardship and is a means to promote the human right to health.
UHC is for:
WHO: All people, including the poorest and most vulnerable.
WHAT: Full range of essential health services, including prevention, treatment, hospital care and pain control.
HOW to achieve UHC: Costs shared among entire population through pre- payment and risk-pooling, rather than shouldered by the sick. Access should be based on need and unrelated to ability to pay.
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.nRomania 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.nIn 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.
World Health Organization to commemorate the World AIDS Day this year choose to focus the on everybody live counts through the theme “Right to health”. Therefore, all 36.7 million people living with HIV shall have the chance to benefit under the universal health coverage framework of programs of care, also approved and embedded within the Sustainable Development Goals. In this context, WHO is promoting access to safe, effective, quality and affordable medicines, as well as health care services for all people in need, while also ensuring that they are protected against financial risks.
More than 35 million people globally so far have been infected with HIV and with 1.8 million people becoming newly infected in 2016 makes the disease to be a major global public health threat.
54% of adults and 43% of children living with HIV are currently receiving lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART), thus the figures indicate there is still space for improvement.
AIDS has no cure yet. Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs can control the virus and help prevent transmission so that people with HIV, and those at substantial risk, can enjoy healthy, long and productive lives.
The SEEHN Member States are strongly committed to end AIDS epidemic and have translated into their country programs the principles of the Global health sector strategy on HIV, 2016-2021.
SEEHN is fully supporting the WHO slogan – Everybody counts and advocates through its CHISNAU Pledge to make it happen!
Director of SEEHN Secretariat Dr. Mira Jovanovski Dasic had a meeting with H.E. Viorel Stanila, Ambassador of Romania to the Republic of Macedonia on 17 September.
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At the beginning, Dr Dasic thanked Romania for a fruitful partnership and for the support provided to SEEHN, particularly during the mandate of Mr. Razvan Vulcanescu, Romanian National Health Coordinator within the SEEHN Executive Committee.
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Furthermore, recent activities of the SEEHN and the outcomes of the Fourth Ministerial Forum “Health, well-being and prosperity in South-Eastern Europe (SEE) by 2030 in the context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” which concluded with the signing and approval of the Chisinau Pledge were presented. Current and future plans of SEEHN, including the readiness to continue working on health issues in the Region and strengthening the role of the Secretariat itself were discussed.
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Interlocutors exchanged also opinions regarding other regional networks and their interconnectivity with SEEHN.
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In the context of the upcoming 39th Plenary Meeting to be held in Sofia on 23-24 November 2017, Dr. Dasic emphasized the importance of having a strong candidacy for counterparts in their capacity as National Health Coordinators.
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Finally, Romania was praised for the fact that it is the first SEEHN Member Country willing to launch a second Regional Health Development Center beside the one Romania hosts in the field of blood safety a second one on sexual and reproductive health. Dr. Dasic highly welcomed the initiative and assured to provide all the assistance needed to that extent.
World Mental Health Day is an annual event observed on 10th October to raise awareness of mental health issues and take efforts in supporting mental health.
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The theme of World Mental Health Day 2017 is “Mental Health in the Workplace.”
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Most of the employers and organizations do not see mental health issues in the workplace as a priority. Many employees may be suffering from one or more mental health disorders in silence. The World Mental Health Day provides an opportunity for all those working on mental health issues to talk about their work and take steps to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.
-Take Breaksn-Use Lunch-Break Productively n-Plan your Work Ahead n-Discuss your Problemsn-Learn Something Newn-Take up a Challengen-Plan a Trip n-Eat Healthyn-Exercise n-Seek Help
nPhoto from http://www.rifemagazine.co.uk/2017/02/dealing-with-your-mental-health-in-the-workplace/
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.
Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic, Head of SEEHN Secretariat had a meeting on 25 September in Skopje with H.E. Mr. Predrag Mitrovic, Ambassador of Montenegro to the Republic of Macedonia.
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Dr. Dasic presented the recent accomplishments of the SEE Health Network, with special focus on the last Ministerial Forum concluded with the adoption of the Chisinau Pledge. She explained the organizational structure of SEEHN, gave an insight on the ongoing activities and made a short reflection on the forthcoming activities and events. She also gave an overview of the Workshop with the Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs) held in Skopje and acknowledged in particular the importance of improving and strengthening the work of SEEHN RHDC. The importance of the SEEHN Secretariat as main engine for providing administrative and technical support to the Network’s activities was highlighted as well.
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H.E. Ambassador Mitrovic congratulated Dr. Dasic on her appointment as Head of SEEHN Secretariat.
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Bilateral discussion ended emphasizing the importance of the regional cooperation while tackling current health challenges in the SEE region. The collocutors agreed that there is the need to continue in depth consideration for technical possibilities for the enhancement of the Network and also any other health initiatives that might be of interest at the regional level. H.E. Ambassador Mitrovic offered the assistance of the Embassy in that regard as far as the possibilities allow.
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.
Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic in her capacity as Head of the SEEHN Secretariat, had a constructive meeting in Belgrade with the Minister of Health of the Republic of Serbia, Dr. Zlatibor Loncar.
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They used this opportunity to discuss the forthcoming activities and events of the SEEHN, in which context Dr. Loncar appointed the new SEEHN National Health Coordinator Dr Danijela Urosevic Assistant minister.
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Minister Loncar through signing the Chisinau Pledge is committed to strengthen regional collaboration in the field of health and that combined efforts at national, sub regional (SEE) and European levels will bring about changes that will contribute to achieving better health, well-being and prosperity in the countries of the SEE region.
The Technical meeting “Strengthening SEEHN technical collaboration” was held on 04-05 September 2017 in Skopje.
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This meeting was facilitated by Prof. Dr. Dragan Gjorgjev, Director of the RHDC on Public Health, hosted by the Republic of Macedonia in Skopje.
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Representatives of the SEEHN RHDCs, SEEHN National Health Coordinators, representatives of partners and technical experts discussed the future work of the RHDC and the modalities for empowerment of the SEEHN RHDCs were presented.
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Participants shared many ideas, proposals and conclusions. They agreed to put a solid basement for further actions and future cooperation of the Centers.
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The Summary report of the Meeting and Decisions will be presented at the next Plenary meeting to be held in Sofia in November, during Bulgarian Presidency.
67th WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Budapest, Hungary 11-14 September 2017
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Short statement:
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South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) was presenting its vision and perspectives of the SEEHN Member States to the delivery on the Agenda 2030/SDGs and on the implementation of the Health2020 in the SEE region, in a Panel on Roadmap to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, building on the Health 2020 policy framework, at the 67th WHO Regional Committee for Europe, Budapest, Hungary 11-14 September 2017.
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Technical details:
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Moderator: Dr Mihaly Kokeny
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Panelists:
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Dr Mira Jovanovski Dasic, SEEHN
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Peter Beznec, Regions for Health Network
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Joan Devlin, Chief Executive, Belfast Healthy Cities & Secretariat Lead, WHO European Health Cities Network
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Nina Renshaw, Secretary General, European Public Health Alliance
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Panel notes:
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Dr Mihaly Kokeny set the scene by presenting the panelists and sharing the overall goal of the panel, to share the experiences of the regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms and networks in delivery on the Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Dr Mira Jovanovski Dasic, SEEHN Secretariat, has spoken on the importance of SDGs/Agenda 2030 and Health2020 for the SEE region, by emphasizing the newly endorsed Chisinau Pledge, which has set up SEEHN strategic directions towards implementing of the SDGs 2030; she elaborated on the success public health stories in the 16 years of existence of the SEEHN, and the modalities through which the SEEHN at sub-regional level as well as its Member States will address the SDGs and Health 2020. SEEHN has been working intersectorally on health and wellbeing since 2012, as all SEEHN Member States have committed to the implementation of Health2020, and through the SEE Regional strategy. SEEHN appreciates and strongly supports the WHO engagement and WHO instruments, including the SDGs Road Map as a valuable guidance in delivering the Agenda 2030 and SDGs.
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Mr Peter Beznec, Regions for Health Network, was sharing the experience from the Regions for Health Network, in particular on the Slovenia’s Pomurje Region in intersectoral collaboration for better health, and engagement of local actors in different sectors for health and economic development.
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Joan Devlin, WHO European Health Cities Network, highlighted the importance of intersectoral collaboration for health, through examples from the Healthy Cities Network – all sectors speak ‘different’ technical or professional language, and this challenge should be converted into opportunity to bringing everyone on the same page. It is often easier to learn the ‘languages’ of other sectors than to expect them to learn the ‘health’ language. And SDGs offer great opportunity for that.
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Nina Renshaw, EPHA, has spoken on specific items of urgent importance requiring intersectoral collaboration, namely the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and prevention of NCDs, and especially the role of the civil society, which is a good will partner and can contribute significantly to addressing these issues and thus contributing to the national and regional agendas to deliver on SDGs. It is of highest importance to get everyone – all sectors side by side with health sector – aboard, in order to sustain good outcomes of investments made in and for health, by health and other sectors.
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Dr Mihaly Kokeny summarized the discussions of the panel highlighting the importance of partnerships and the value of regional and subregional networks to this end, and closed with a quote from Mark Twain: “Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you’re just sitting there.”
Dr. Mira Jovanovski-Dasic in her capacity as Head of the SEEHN Secretariat on 21st of August 2017 had a meeting with Minister of Health of the Republic of Macedonia Dr. Arben Taravari. Dr Dasic congratulated Dr Taravari on his recent appointment as Minister of Health of the Republic of Macedonia and praised the signing of the Chisinau Pledge as main policy document for strengthening of regional collaboration in the field of health and better performance of the Network.
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Dr. Dasic briefly informed Minister Taravari on the founding documents of the SEEHN, its organizational structure and the forthcoming activities and events. She also expressed special gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for hosting the Secretariat of the SEEHN.
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Minister Taravari in an open and friendly atmosphere recognized the importance of improving the health conditions of every citizen through the enhancement of public health and health systems, and conveyed his readiness to support the work of the Network.
Representatives of the SEEHN RHDCs, SEEHN National Health Coordinators, the representatives of partners and technical experts in two days will discuss the empowerment of the SEEHN RHDCs by putting emphasize at: the fostering mechanisms for technical cooperation, including the financial ones and strengthening the linkages among SEEHN Partners; the ways of successful sustainable implementation and the potential country benefits stemming from Chisinau Pledge and development and implementation of road maps for the RHDCs work until 2020;
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Please find attached the working documents for the meeting.
The Report of the Fourth South-Eastern Europe Health Ministerial Forum on subject “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND PROSPERITY IN SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE BY 2030 IN THE CONTEXT OF THE 2030 AGENDA FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” held in CHISINAU, REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA on 03-04 APRIL 2017 is available at following LINK.
The SEEHN Member States are strongly committed to end AIDS epidemic and have translated into their country programs the principles of the Global health sector strategy on HIV, 2016-2021.
SEEHN, and the modalities through which the SEEHN at sub-regional level as well as its Member States will address the SDGs and Health 2020. SEEHN has been working intersectorally on health and wellbeing since 2012, as all SEEHN Member States have committed to the implementation of Health2020, and through the SEE Regional strategy. SEEHN appreciates and strongly supports the WHO engagement and WHO instruments, including the SDGs Road Map as a valuable guidance in delivering the Agenda 2030 and SDGs.
