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Improving access to good-quality healthcare services in Kosovo


AQH strengthens clinical capacity and managerial competence in partner municipalities towards increasing quality of services provided as well as enhancing the system’s understanding and response to the needs of communities, in particular vulnerable groups. At the community end, AQH generates demand for quality services, by improving health literacy and involving people in shaping the services, thus leading to an increased and rational utilization of all health services and ultimately improved health status of the population.

Country/region Topic Period Budget
Kosovo
Health
nothemedefined
Primary health care
01.01.2020 - 31.12.2023
 CHF  8’800’000
The project in brief
Background Kosovo has some of the worst health indicators in South Eastern Europe. The health status of vulnerable communities is a concern as financial and social barriers prevent them from accessing appropriate healthcare services. The ongoing health sector reforms have introduced significant change in the financing, organization and governance of the sector, though the envisaged health insurance scheme is yet not launched. Improving the quality of services, enhancing health education and disease prevention, as well as strengthening the gatekeeping role of Primary Health Care (PHC) are immediate priorities
Objectives The health of the population of Kosovo has improved, with strengthened healthcare providers and managers able to meet the needs of the patients (especially vulnerable groups), who are more aware of their rights and needs.
Target groups

AQH will be supporting Mayors and Directors of Health and Social Welfare (DHSW) departments, PHC institutions, clinical staff and facility managers of 20 municipalities (out of 38) to improve the quality of services, thus benefitting about 880,000 citizens.

Communities through community-based organizations, civil society organizations (CBOs/CSOs) and patients’ rights associations will be supported to voice better the concerns of the population, in particular of vulnerable groups and demand social accountability.

National level stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Health (MoH), in particular its PHC Division, the National Institute for Public Health (NIPH), the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM) and the Medical and Nursing Chambers will be supported to create a conducive framework for the development of PHC.
Medium-term outcomes

Outcome 1: Primary Health Care providers deliver quality services for non-communicable disease (NCDs) to informed citizens.

Outcome 2: Health managers ensure delivery of quality PHC services that respond to communities’ needs.

Outcome 3: The population improves its health literacy and demands better access to high quality care. 
Results

Expected results:  

  • Service packages for NCDs and Integrated Care are provided in project municipalities;
  • Demonstration sites provide comprehensive quality PHC services for NCDs;
  • PHC services respond to community needs and are organized based on quality management principles;
  • National institutions are supported to create a conducive framework for the development of PHC;
  • Community feedback informs the delivery of PHC services;
  • Communities and vulnerable groups are reached with health promotion and education activities for common health problems, healthy practices and know when/where to seek care.


Results from previous phases:   Around 600,000 citizens of the 12 partner municipalities benefited from improved performance of PHC services. The quality of care was improved primarily through the development of Service Packages for hypertension and diabetes, which establish quality standards for treatment and integrate health education/health promotion (HE/HP) into the delivery of PHC. On the other hand, through trainings and coaching, the managers at health facility and municipal level were empowered to guide service delivery towards continuous quality improvement of services that responds to communities’ needs. With the aim of promoting more transparent decision-making and patient-centered approaches, AQH engaged in the development and implementation of several feedback mechanisms, such as the Community Score Card, community round tables, focus group discussions and supporting patients’ rights. Key insights on effectiveness have informed the design of the next phase, including in terms of scaling up and sustainability. 


Directorate/federal office responsible SDC
Credit area Swiss cooperation with Eastern Europe
Project partners Contract partner
Swiss Academic and Research Institution
  • Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute


Other partners
The Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (STPH) 
Coordination with other projects and actors Synergies with Swiss projects in local governance and water (DEMOS, RWSSP V); Coordination with main donors; WB, Lux Dev, WHO, UNICEF
Budget Current phase Swiss budget CHF    8’800’000 Swiss disbursement to date CHF    8’693’543
Project phases Phase 3 01.01.2024 - 31.12.2027   (Current phase)

Phase 2 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2023   (Active)

Phase 1 01.11.2013 - 31.12.2019   (Active)
  • Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation HEALTH
    Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation
    Basic health care
    Aid Type Mandate with fiduciary funds
    Project number

    7F08891

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Last update 03.01.2021