Regular 25th SEEHN and 3rd Preparatory Meetings Concluded in Sofia, Bulgaria

The SEE Health Network Presidency, Executive Committee and Secretariat would like to kindly thank all member and partner countries for the intensive, productive and successful 25th regular and 3rd Preparatory Meetings held this month in Sofia under the Presidency of the Bulgarian Minister of Health Dr. St. Konstantinov.

We are pleased to provide you with:

1. Draft report of the meeting: please provide us with your feedback and comments;
2. Signed Decision on the establishment of 8 RHDCs;
3. Several photos from the meeting and the inauguration of the SEE RHDC on Antibiotic Resistance at the National Centre of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria.

Inauguration ceremony of the Regional Health Development Center on Mental Health in South-Eastern Europe and the First workshop Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7th June 2011

Mr. Sredoje Novic, Minister of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on 7th of June 2011 officially inaugurated the Regional Health Development Center on Mental Health in South-Eastern Europe in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

„With establishment of the Regional Health Development Center on Mental Health in South-Eastern Europe, once again Bosnia and Herzegovina is given a great honor and trust in the filed of mental health in the South-Eastern Europe“, said Minister Novic and highlighted the importance of the continuation of the cooperation in the field of mental health among South-East European countries, with support of partner organizations, as one of the key elements to ensure better mental well-being of the population in the SEE Region.

On behalf of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network, Dr. Goran Cerkez, Member of its Executive Committee stressed the importance of establishment of the RHDC and continuing the cooperation among SEE countries in the field of mental health, established through the successful implemented SEE Mental Health Project.

On behalf of the WHO Regional Office for Europe, Dr. Matthijs Muijen, Programme Manager highlighted the leading role of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the filed of mental health in the South-eastern Europe and a number of activities initiated in this area. Dr Muijen also emphasized that the WHO Regional Office for Europe, in partnership with Bosnia and Herzegovina, is dedicated to further cooperation in this area with the aim to improve mental health services in this part of Europe.

Back to back with the Inauguration of the RHDC, the First workshop was held. The First workshop brought together high level representatives of the SEE countries, members of the SEEHN Executive Committee, as well as representatives of the WHO European Region, and other partners and experts. During the First workshop was assessed the progress made since the end of the SEE Mental Health Project in December 2008 and the discussion on mental health priorities and needs for collaboration and support and the future actions in the field of mental health in SEE countries was held.

SEEHN participates at General Assembly of the EuroHealthNet, 1-2 June 2011, Ljubjana, Slovenia

SEE Health Network participated at the General Assembly of the EuroHealthNet and the Capacity Building Seminar On Progress For Health Promotion, Equity And Social Determinants, held on 1 and 2 June in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

SEE Health Network was presented at both the Seminar and the Assembly by Ms. Snezhana Chichevalieva, Chair of the Executive Committee of the SEE Health Network. Both events were followed also by the SEE Health Network regional coordinator and national coordinators for public health services from seven SEE Health Network member states.

On behalf of the SEE Health Network Executive Committee, the Chair thanked EuroHealthNet on the invitation and support to participate on both the seminar and the General Assembly, as well as on the interest to establish further collaborative cooperation with the SEE Health Network.

At the same time, the Chair of the SEE Health Network Executive Committee also thanked Slovenia for its constant support and interest as a partner country, to enhance regional cooperation in public health in the SEE and extend SEE Health Network possibilities to partner other networks in Europe that share same interests in public health, such is EuroHealthNet. SEE Health Network especially thanked Ms. Dunja Gruntar Golanda, Slovenian representative to the SEE Health Network, for her personal and professional work towards such endeavors.