Healthy Life Project, Phase II: Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Republic of Moldova

Project Abstract

Background
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Like many countries, the Republic of Moldova faces a growing NCD mortality and morbidity burden: more than half of the population suffers from non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, digestive diseases and diabetes.
In January 2017, the Government of the Republic of Moldova and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), within the framework of international cooperation, signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the “Healthy Life project: Reducing the Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in Moldova” which is implemented by Swiss TPH, now in its second phase.

Objectives and Aim
The overall goal of the Healthy Life project is to contribute to the improvement of the health status of the Moldovan population, especially in rural areas, through the reduction of the burden of NCDs.

The project outcomes are: 
Outcome 1: National health institutions promote WHO best buys and work in an evidence-based, multisectoral manner to increase health literacy of the population
Outcome 2: Quality integrated services, underpinned by regulations and education of service providers, improve the prevention and management of NCDs
Outcome 3: People take responsibility for their own health, demand their rights, and hold decision-makers to account for reaching even the most vulnerable NCD patients

Methods/Approaches
The Healthy Life Project supports the Moldavian Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection and the National Agency for Public Health to implement the national health reform agenda, especially in the areas of Primary Health Care, Integrated Care and Community Nursing and Health Promotion. Its approach is to facilitate the organisation of an intersectoral response to NCDs with improved health intervention planning, better collaboration and management. Models of integrated care and outreach are promoted. The project supports multisectoral engagement in health promotion and builds capacities of rayon health teams to elaborate an evidence-based community health profile and community based health action plans addressing risk factors of NCDs among their population. In parallel, community groups are mobilised and empowered to play an active role in demanding quality healthcare services and making the health system responsive to patients’ needs.

Results
o    The Healthy Life Project is supporting the roll out of PEN protocols for NCDs, and costing of care management of patients with NCDs with the National Health Insurance Company
o    The concepts of Community Nursing and Integrated Care are being taken forward at policy level for the Moldovan context
o    Healthy Life is working with the National Agency for Public Health to facilitate intersectoral activities for health promotion at national, rayon and village level
o    The project has introduced the use of health profiles at rayon level and now rolling this out to community level
o    A self-management programme for chronic patients has been established and is being handed over to the Nursing Association; it has been adapted to keep in remote touch with vulnerable patients during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Target Groups
o    Family doctors, medical assistants and community nurses
o    National Agency for Public Health and Rayon Centres for Public Health
o    Local Public Authorities, Mayors and their multidisciplinary teams from selected communities
o    Patients groups and community members

Key Partner Institutions
o    Ministry of Health, Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Moldova, relevant institutes and departments
o    Rayon and Local Public Authorities
o    Teaching and training institutions, Medical University, School of Public Health
o    Selected community based organisation
o    World Health Organization and UN agencies
o    Other thematic NGOs

Other important information
In phase 1 the Healthy Life was implemented in 10 pilot rayons, in Phase 2 it is nationwide. The Healthy Life Project operates through a Project Facilitation Unit based in Chisinau, Moldova. The timeframe of Phase 2 is 01/10/20-30/09/24.

Project Facts