Albanian health minister signs agreement with WHO/Europe
WHO
Ilir Beqaj, Minister of Health of Albania, met Zsuzsanna Jakab, WHO Regional Director for Europe, on 24 February 2014. During the visit, Mr Beqaj’s first to WHO/Europe, he signed the biennial collaborative agreement (BCA) between WHO and Albania for 2014–2015.
The BCA outlines the collaborative work on health for 2014–2015, focusing on noncommunicable diseases, mental health, violence and injuries, nutrition, gender equity and human rights, health and environment, national health policies, strategies and plans, integrated people-centred health services, regulation of and access to medical products, health information systems, epidemic and pandemic crisis management, and food safety.
During the discussions, Ms Jakab expressed her support for Albania’s national integration strategy for 2014–2020, which is aligned with Health 2020, the European health policy framework, and is on the parliament’s agenda. She also offered Albania WHO assistance in revising its health financing mechanism, making a long-term health policy, supporting the development of a strategy for the health information system and moving towards a system of universal health coverage.
Ms Jakab recognized Albania’s engagement in and support of the work of the WHO governing bodies and the South-eastern Europe Health Network.
The Minister was accompanied by Mr Artur Lama, Chief of the Cabinet, Ministry of Health, and Mr Arben Cici, Albania’s Ambassador to Denmark.
