USAID Project

Project Overview

IN SUPPORT OF THE HEALTH REFORM IN ALBANIA

The project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) ‘In Support of Health Reform’ (MRSh) is a 5-year initiative that supports the implementation of reform measures in the health sector in Albania in order to increase access to basic services , paying special attention to the protection of the most needy sections of the population. The activities of the project are in accordance with the objectives of the Ministry of Health (Long-Term Strategy of the Health System 2007-2013) aiming to improve the performance of the health system and public health. The MRSh project will support the main actors in the structuring of reform measures at the national level, as well as provide technical assistance for the implementation of these measures at the local level. The project will encourage and support the involvement of all key actors in the health policy planning process and decision-making. The promotion of a political process based on evidence and in accordance with the needs of the population is considered very important.

The project, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and other actors of the health system, aims to follow three main approaches in the implementation of reform measures, for a better direction of the health system and for increasing access to basic health services:

– Institutionalization of policy-making based on evidence as well as monitoring – regular and continuous assessment of the performance of the health system;

– The structuring of interventions in accordance with the conditions of the country as well as the implementation of effective reform measures at the local level;

-Continuous promotion of the reform by strengthening communication at the institutional level, communication with the population and the donor community in the country. Creating a new culture of transparency and accountability that helps inform and empower the population for a better understanding of rights and responsibilities in the health system.

With the involvement of local and international experts, based on the achievements of the Albanian government so far as well as based on the efforts of donors, the project together with the main actors of the health sector in the country will review the policy-making process, the description of roles and responsibilities of the main health institutions and the identification of obstacles in the implementation of reform measures in this sector. A major objective of the project is to increase the awareness and participation of civil society and the population for a successful implementation of the health reform. The evaluation of interventions and the implementation of reform measures closer to the population will make it possible to realize in practice the vision for access and quality services for Albanians.

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