The whole person: Delivering better health services in Albania
Life was hard for Violeta and her family in their little village Kabash, a two-hour drive from the town of Puka. Everything was far away — the health clinic, the hospital, the local administrative offices.
With tears in her eyes, she remembers the time when her little daughter collapsed and just barely regained consciousness, with no nearby hospital to take her. She also learned that both her daughters had been born with mental health issues and congenital heart disease. They needed specialized medical care, which was accessible only in town.
Violeta’s husband was diagnosed with asthma years ago, making it difficult for him to provide for the family. They earned some income by cultivating the soil and growing crops. With no other way out, Violeta’s family moved to the town of Puka to be closer to health facilities so that her daughters and husband could access medical care.
Health is the foundation of a person’s well-being. Good health enables people to work and participate fully in their communities and support themselves financially.
Now in Puka, a safety net is available where there was none before. The UN and a local partner are piloting a model of integrated social care and health services. The initiative is funded by the United Nations Joint SDG Fund and is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women and WHO. It is in partnership with Puka Municipality and Youth Movement for Democracy — a civil society organization.
This intervention is boosting access to mobile health and psycho-social services for children with disabilities living in the remote areas of Puka. Services offered include home physiotherapy, speech therapy and psychosocial services. The project also supports health and psycho-social workers at the local level, focusing on how to administer integrated services and work in multidisciplinary teams.
Violeta was happy when she learned of these services offered in Puka and soon her family took part. After a needs assessment, Violeta’s daughters were given support school support and technology to boost their studies. The family was also given a disability living allowance and social services.
“Integrated health and social services represent an innovative approach to service delivery at the local level, targeting populations at risk of being left behind,” says Limya Eltayeb, UNDP Resident Representative. “Tailoring services to the needs of vulnerable populations is vital.”
About 700 people have benefited from the pilot project.
Leave no one behind is the moral principle of Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. Violeta’s daughters and hundreds of other people are seeing the Goals on paper, translated into tangible impact in their lives.
Story written by and originally posted on UNDP Albania. Editorial support by Paul VanDeCarr, Development Coordination Office. For more information on the United Nations' work in Albania, please visit Albania.UN.org. To learn more about the results of our work in this area and beyond, please visit the UNSDG Chair Report on DCO.
