Enhancing Neonatal Care in Kosovo: Successful Completion of Training Supported by Fulbright and AMC
04.11.2024
The Neonatal Referral System Training, organized by Action for Mothers and Children (AMC) and the University Clinical Center of Kosovo – Neonatology Clinic, in collaboration with the Fulbright Program, marked an important step towards improving healthcare for newborns in Kosovo. This three-day training, held in partnership with the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), aimed to enhance the professional capacities of nurses and neonatologists in managing critical cases requiring neonatal resuscitation and to improve the efficient referral of at-risk newborns.
Renowned experts from the United States, Dartmouth College, Dr. George Little, and Ms. Victoria A. Flanagan, shared their extensive experience to standardize neonatal resuscitation practices and strengthen the referral system. Participants engaged in interactive discussions to better understand existing challenges and propose concrete improvements in neonatal care. The training addressed some of the most urgent needs in Kosovo, where the infant mortality rate remains the highest in Europe, primarily due to the lack of specialized training and infrastructure capacities.
A significant part of this effort included close collaboration with the Kosovo Chamber of Physicians. In a meeting between AMC’s Executive Director, Rina Demiri Spahija, and the President of the Kosovo Chamber of Physicians, Dr. Pleurat Sejdiu, the importance of continuous training for healthcare professionals was discussed, and opportunities for additional seminars and workshops to strengthen the healthcare system were identified. In a gesture of appreciation, Dr. Sejdiu presented a certificate of gratitude to Dr. Little and Ms. Flanagan, emphasizing their invaluable contribution. Following the training, monitoring visits were conducted in regional hospitals in Gjakova, Ferizaj, Prizren, Gjilan, Mitrovica, and Vushtrri to assess the implementation of new knowledge and identify further needs for improvement.
After the training concluded, AMC hosted representatives from the United States Embassy in Kosovo to discuss the Neonatal Referral System training held from October 25-28. During the meeting, challenges faced by healthcare professionals and their ongoing commitment to providing quality care were reviewed. The Embassy representatives reaffirmed their support for improving Kosovo’s healthcare system through the Fulbright Program.
These activities are part of AMC’s ongoing initiatives to mobilize institutional stakeholders and establish a robust neonatal referral system, ensuring that every at-risk newborn receives the necessary care in a timely manner. Multisectoral interventions, involving the dedication of international donors and the support of government institutions, are crucial for improving maternal and newborn health in Kosovo.
