EU-TAIEX Mission to the Inspectorate of Healthcare in the Republic of Kosovo

EPSO visit to Kosovo 2-6th February 2015 (Jooske Vos, Geir Sverre Braut):

Photo at central square in Prishtina with the national hero Gjergj Kastrioti-Skenderbeu and the government buildings ( with a lot of stone holes from the troubles / protests the night before ) at the background.

By Jooske Vos and Paul Robben

Visit of Mrs. Jooske Vos to Minister Ferid Agani 23-7-2013

Text : Health Inspectorate supported by technical assistance from the European Commission (TAIEX)

In order to increase its professional capacity, the Health Inspectorate of the Ministry of Health, is being supported by experts engaged by TAIEX (Technical Assistance Instrument of the European Commission).

For this purpose, these days, TAIEX expert Mrs Jooske Vos from EURINSPECT (NGOs and research co-operation in EU countries), stayed at the Ministry of Health, assisting with advice the Health Inspectorate on professional capacity building.

Expert Jooske Vos met with the Minister of Health, Prof. Dr.Ferid Agani, with whom she discussed aspects of cooperation between the Ministry of Health, the Health Inspectorate and the TAIEX experts.

This meeting is the first step toward advancing the Health Inspectorate to serve at the highest level versus circumstances in Kosovo. In this period the health system in Kosovo is going through a process of reform, it is important to prepare the Health Inspectorate to convey this reform and to inform the Kosovo citizens to know that which health institutions adhere to standards of care and are safe and financially less costly for them to seek services.

Agani emphasized that the aim of the Ministry of Health is to improve the health of the population of Kosovo and that it is important that health inspectors be ,independent, results-oriented , visible and that the results are measurable. To reach this goals it is important to communicate openly with the public and representatives of health institutions Kosovo.

Mrs. Vos said that when the budget is limited, it is best to define risk assessment to choose which health care topics are really important to focus on in health care. To make this risk assessment effective and transparant the Health Inspectorate could be advised to work with Local as well as European norms and standards of care.

Dr. Ardita Baraku, Chief Inspector Health, said that she enjoyed the possibility of sharing experiences between the Health Inspectorate and the further development of professional capacities in co-operation with TAIEX experts.

Besides expert Vos, Health Inspectorate will be further assisted with technical assistance from another expert, Professor Dr. Paul Robben, who is an expert on Inspectorate working methods and effectiveness of procedures in inspectorates.

Draft programme