Printer-Friendly Version

The dissolution of the former Yugoslavia in the early 1990’s and the ensuing repression and war left Kosovo with critical and often deadly gaps in health care and social services. Health facilities were destroyed, while discrimination and increasing poverty led to soaring rates of tuberculosis and maternal mortality, as well as other serious health challenges. Ethnic minorities, women, and children suffered the worst effects of the conflict and were frequently excluded from access to health care.

A unique, long-term involvement in a volatile region
Since 1992, HealthRight International has worked closely with the diverse communities of Kosovo. HealthRight’s work before, during, and after the war has addressed critical health care needs, with a particular focus on marginalized groups. These projects have included:

Providing direct care for vulnerable and refugee populations before, during, and after the war
Partnerships with local communities to create sustainable, community-based alternatives to institutionalization for disabled children
Partnership with Kosovar authorities to develop a long term, comprehensive, regional response to rising rates of tuberculosis
The development of a replicable Women’s Wellness Center model to provide women in Kosovo with comprehensive health services – all under one roof. WWCs have since been replicated at 3 locations in Kosovo

Building local capacity to provide comprehensive care
HealthRight projects have sought to rebuild a system destroyed by conflict and to construct lasting solutions to serve vulnerable populations. Local partnerships, training for community members and health workers, and efforts to advocate for policy changes have proven crucial in our projects’ success.

All projects have been transferred to government and local agencies, ensuring a deep and lasting impact on the health and human rights of Kosovar communities. These efforts have helped rebuild the infrastructure for tuberculosis treatment, provided children with special needs with community homes instead of abusive institutions, and improved reproductive health care for women. Today, HealthRight’s involvement includes the provision of volunteers at the Women’s Wellness Center in Pristina, to help build the capacity of local staff and to ensure sustainability.

___________________________________________________

KOSOVO: Service and care for excluded communities