South-Eastern Europe Health Network - SEEHN

South-Eastern Europe Health Network - SEEHN South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN)

Founding Documents
http://seehn.org/?cat=4

South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN)

WHO/Europe contributes to international reconstruction efforts in the south-eastern countries in the WHO European Region through its work with the South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN). SEEHN is a political and institutional forum set up by the governments of Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, the Republic of Moldova,

Romania, Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to promote peace, reconciliation and health in the region. WHO/Europe lends technical support to SEEHN’s various health projects, after having supplied its secretariat, along with the Council of Europe, from 2001 to 2009. On 1 January 2010 SEEHN took over ownership of the regional cooperation for health and development under the auspices of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and the SEE Regional Cooperation Process. RCC’s main purpose is to provide leadership and to sustain ownership by the nine countries of regional cooperation and the concerted health development action launched in 2001 with the Dubrovnik Pledge (2001) and maintained through the Skopje Pledge (2005) and the Memorandum of Understanding (2009). Background

In 1999, the international community established the Stability Pact for South East Europe as a conflict-prevention and reconstruction process in the region. In 2001, a health component (SEEHN) was added to the Pact’s social cohesion initiative, to bring people together across borders to improve health in the whole region. Today SEEHN comprises representatives of the health ministries of its nine member countries, five partner western European countries and five intergovernmental organizations. For the past nine years, SEEHN has been the undisputed vehicle of health development in the areas of mental health, communicable diseases, food safety and nutrition, blood safety, tobacco control, information systems, maternal and neonatal health, public health services and health systems. SEEHN has received continuous political, technical and financial support from 10 partner countries (Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and five international organizations.

📢 SEEHN and Bosnia and Herzegovina Renew Regional Cooperation on Mental HealthOn 21 August 2025, SEEHN and the Ministry ...
21/08/2025

📢 SEEHN and Bosnia and Herzegovina Renew Regional Cooperation on Mental Health

On 21 August 2025, SEEHN and the Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina held an online meeting to revitalize the Regional Health Development Centre (RHDC) on Mental Health.
The meeting gathered:
👩‍⚕️ Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Head of the SEEHN Secretariat
👨‍⚕️ Prof. Jurica Arapović, MD, PhD, Assistant Minister, Ministry of Civil Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina
👩‍⚕️ Ms. Lejla Krvavac, newly appointed Director of the RHDC on Mental Health
Together, participants agreed on the importance of relaunching the Centre, reappointing national focal points, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration with WHO/Europe, EU partners, and SEEHN.
👏 The appointment of Ms. Krvavac was warmly welcomed to lead renewed efforts in mental health cooperation across South Eastern Europe.

Strengthening Regional Health Cooperation 🏥🌍 On 7 August 2025 in Chisinau, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the SEEHN ...
08/08/2025

Strengthening Regional Health Cooperation 🏥🌍
On 7 August 2025 in Chisinau, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Director of the SEEHN Secretariat, met with Dr. Ala Nemerenco, Minister of Health of the Republic of Moldova, to discuss Moldova’s upcoming SEEHN Presidency (2026).
Key priorities include:
✅ Investing in the health workforce
✅ Modernizing hospitals & infrastructure
✅ Improving quality of care across member states
✅ Closer to EU health standards
Moldova will also continue to lead in to***co cessation and launch a regional initiative on EU health policy alignment.
🤝 Together, SEEHN members are building a healthier South-East Europe.

🤝 Strengthening Health Cooperation: Bilateral Meeting in BucharestOn July 30, Romania’s Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandr...
31/07/2025

🤝 Strengthening Health Cooperation: Bilateral Meeting in Bucharest
On July 30, Romania’s Minister of Health, Dr. Alexandru-Florin Rogobete, met with Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Head of the SEEHN Secretariat, to advance health cooperation across South-Eastern Europe.
Key topics:
✅ Emergency preparedness
✅ Health equity & digital innovation
✅ Workforce development
📍 Outcomes include Romania’s strategic role in SEEHN, plans to host the 2027 Ministerial Forum, and the establishment of a Regional Digital Health Hub in Romania.
“We welcome this partnership as a vital step forward in creating a more integrated and responsive healthcare landscape,” said Minister Rogobete.

📍 Vienna, Austria | 2 July 2025🌍 The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is proud to have contributed to strengt...
03/07/2025

📍 Vienna, Austria | 2 July 2025
🌍 The South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is proud to have contributed to strengthening regional preparedness for future pandemics.

At the high-level meeting organized by SECID(acting as SEEHN RHDC on CDC), health leaders from SEEHN Member States came together to build shared strategies for pandemic response and vaccine deployment. National experiences, lessons learned, and common challenges were exchanged in a powerful show of regional solidarity and cooperation.

🗣️ Key discussions focused on:
✅ Strengthening health emergency preparedness
✅ Streamlining vaccine procurement and deployment
✅ Boosting cross-sector and regional collaboration
✅ Addressing digital health equity and workforce resilience

💡 As SEEHN enters a new presidency under the State of Israel, we remain committed to health equity, governance improvement, and a safer, healthier future for all.

📍Sofia, Bulgaria — June 18, 2025 - The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is pleased to announce the nomination...
18/06/2025

📍Sofia, Bulgaria — June 18, 2025 - The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is pleased to announce the nomination of Dr. Tatiana Paduraru as the new Head of the SEEHN Secretariat. The decision was confirmed during the Network’s 48th Plenary Meeting, held on June 17–18, 2025, in Sofia, Bulgaria.

✅Dr. Paduraru’s appointment marks the continuation of her leadership following a term as Acting Head of the Secretariat, during which she demonstrated strong dedication, professionalism, and a deep commitment to SEEHN’s mission of regional solidarity in health. Her assignment recognizes her role in ensuring continuity, advancing strategic coordination, and guiding the Network through a critical period of transition.

✅Dr. Paduraru brings extensive experience in public health leadership, regional cooperation, and international engagement.

✅SEEHN looks forward to continuing its important work under Dr. Paduraru’s leadership as it advances cross-border initiatives in health promotion, disease prevention, and system resilience across South-Eastern Europe.

📍Sofia, Bulgaria — June 18, 2025 — The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is convening its 48th Plenary Meeting...
18/06/2025

📍Sofia, Bulgaria — June 18, 2025 — The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) is convening its 48th Plenary Meeting on June 17–18, 2025, at the Astoria Grand Hotel in Sofia, centered around the theme “Health Promotion and Disease Prevention – Acting Together for Better Health for All.”
Organized under the Bulgarian Presidency of SEEHN and hosted by the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria, the event brings together national health leaders, international partners, and key stakeholders dedicated to enhancing public health cooperation across the region.
The meeting was officially opened by Assoc. Prof. Silvi Kirilov, M.D., Minister of Health of the Republic of Bulgaria; Dr. Tatiana Paduraru, Acting Head of the SEEHN Secretariat; Dr. Svetlana Nicolaescu, Chair of the SEEHN Executive Committee, H.E. Christina De Bruin – UNICEF Representative in Bulgaria and Mr. Guillaume Simonian, a.i. WHO CO Bulgaria – online.
Minister Kirilov warmly greeted the particpants and outlined the importance of multilateral cooperation in the field of public health:
”The global and regional health challenges in the field of public health today require, above all, working in partnership, sharing good practices and mutual experience, the goal of which should not only be to provide optimal quality of treatment to patients, but also to actively protect and sustainably strengthen their health.”

In her opening address, Dr. Tatiana Paduraru highlighted the critical importance of collaboration in health:
“At a time when public health challenges are increasingly interconnected, acting together is not just a strategic choice — it is an imperative. This meeting is a platform to forge innovative pathways for collaboration and reaffirm our shared commitment to inclusive health for all.”
Dr. Svetlana Nicolaescu echoed this sentiment, stating:
“Prevention is a long-term investment — one that transcends sectors and borders. As our societies face growing health demands, we must act with foresight and unity.”
Day 1 of the meeting featured the inaugural Dr. Alexandre Berlin Prize Ceremony, celebrating exceptional contributions to health development in the region. The award was presented to Dr. Maria Ruseva, recognized for her instrumental role in the founding and vision of the South-Eastern Europe Health Network.
Key Highlights and Outcomes:
✅ Strong emphasis on regional collaboration to advance health promotion, disease prevention, and youth well-being through joint policies, information and good practices sharing, and coordinated campaigns.
✅ Comprehensive overview of Bulgaria’s SEEHN Presidency (2024–2025), with recognition of major strides in digital health, NCDs, nursing and midwifery leadership, and health diplomacy.
✅ Strategic transition to the incoming Israeli Presidency (2025–2026), marked by continuity planning and reaffirmed commitment to regional solidarity in health.
✅ In-depth sessions on public health communication, vaccination strategies, nutrition policies, and digital innovation, highlighting the need for multisectoral investment in prevention.
✅ Opportunities for partnership building and knowledge exchange identified across all sessions, laying the groundwork for future joint actions.
Demonstrating strong regional solidarity, participants from across the Network attended both in person and online, with special acknowledgment of the Israeli delegation for their virtual participation amidst ongoing travel restrictions.
Day 2 will be dedicated to closed-door governance discussions, covering key areas such as financial reporting, elections for the SEEHN Secretariat, and strategic planning.
These sessions will be followed by presentations from SEEHN’s Regional Health Development Centers (RHDCs), which will explore critical themes including maternal and newborn health (Romania), digital transformation (Bulgaria), nursing and midwifery leadership (Romania), and health workforce migration (Moldova).
The meeting will conclude with a cultural tour hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency, along with a strong reaffirmation of cross-border collaboration as a foundation for building sustainable and resilient health systems across South-Eastern Europe.

🌍🤝 SEEHN Leadership Joins Forces at EuroHealthNet GCM 2025 for a Healthier, More Resilient Europe!From 11–13 June 2025 i...
17/06/2025

🌍🤝 SEEHN Leadership Joins Forces at EuroHealthNet GCM 2025 for a Healthier, More Resilient Europe!

From 11–13 June 2025 in Brussels, the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) was proudly represented at the EuroHealthNet General Council Meeting and Annual Seminar by Dr. Tatiana Paduraru (Acting Head, SEEHN Secretariat) and Dr. Svetlana Nicolaescu (Chair of the SEEHN Executive Committee & State Secretary at the Moldovan Ministry of Health).

Together with public health leaders from across Europe, they discussed:
✅ The growing health impacts of climate change
✅ Strategies for climate adaptation and resilience
✅ Intersectoral cooperation for health equity
✅ EuroHealthNet’s new Strategic Development Plan and Ethical Framework

💬 Their participation underlined SEEHN’s strong commitment to regional cooperation and building equitable, climate-resilient health systems.

👏 Huge thanks to EuroHealthNet for an inspiring event!

🩸 World Blood Donor Day 2025💬 “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives.”The South-eastern Europe Health Network (S...
13/06/2025

🩸 World Blood Donor Day 2025
💬 “Give blood, give hope: together we save lives.”

The South-eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) stands united in honoring World Blood Donor Day this 14 June 2025. Every drop of donated blood is a gift of life, dignity, and hope. ❤️

Let’s celebrate the heroes among us—voluntary blood donors—and call on communities, governments, and health institutions across our region to strengthen national blood systems and raise awareness about the urgent need for safe, regular blood donations.

Together, we give blood.
Together, we give hope. 💪

SEEHN joins WHO and global partners to raise awareness of to***co and ni****ne dangers and to spotlight effective nation...
31/05/2025

SEEHN joins WHO and global partners to raise awareness of to***co and ni****ne dangers and to spotlight effective national responses
Skopje, 30 May 2025 – The South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) proudly joins the World Health Organization and public health allies around the globe in marking World No To***co Day (WNTD) on 31 May 2025, under the global theme: “Unmask the Appeal – ***coExposed.”
This year’s campaign puts the spotlight on the manipulative strategies used by the to***co and ni****ne industries to attract new users, especially children and young people. These include flavoured products, misleading packaging, digital marketing, and the normalization of to***co use in public and private settings.
To deepen understanding and inspire action, SEEHN encourages viewing the recorded WHO event held on 13 May 2025, which explored how product design and marketing continue to lure young people into ni****ne addiction—and how governments can push back.
📺 Watch the recorded event:
👉 WHO: Unmask the Appeal of To***co and Ni****ne Products
To***co use continues to be a leading cause of preventable disease and death across South-Eastern Europe. According to the eighth edition of WHO’s To***co Packaging and Labelling Global Status Report (October 2023) , SEEHN Member Countries were ranked (out of 173) as follows:
• Albania – 31
• Bosnia and Herzegovina – 132
• Bulgaria – 31
• Israel - 31
• Moldova (Republic of) – 31
• Montenegro – 141
• North Macedonia – 141
• Romania – 31
• Serbia – 141
SEEHN commends the Republic of Moldova for taking decisive new steps to strengthen its national to***co control policies. In May 2025, Moldova’s Parliament passed in second reading a comprehensive law developed by the Ministry of Health and the National Agency for Public Health, aimed at closing regulatory gaps and extending protections across all to***co and related products, including electronic ci******es and hookahs.
These bold steps place Moldova at the forefront of regional to***co control efforts and align with FCTC best practices in public space protection, denormalization of to***co use, and health equity.
SEEHN reaffirms its commitment to to***co control through stronger regional collaboration, support for national legislation including flavour bans, and public education campaigns that empower youth to resist industry manipulation.

***coDay ***coExposed ***coControl ****neAddiction

👶🤝 On 28 May 2025, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), in partnership with WHO/Europe and the RHDC on Sexua...
29/05/2025

👶🤝 On 28 May 2025, the South-Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN), in partnership with WHO/Europe and the RHDC on Sexual and Reproductive Health (Romania), hosted a regional online consultation on maternal and newborn health.

Held under the theme of World Health Day 2025: "Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures", the event brought together ministries of health, experts, and international partners to:
✅ Share best practices
✅ Identify key priorities
✅ Strengthen regional collaboration

Highlights included:
🔹 Opening messages from Dr. Natasha Azzopardi-Muscat (WHO/Europe) and Dr. Tatiana Păduraru (SEEHN Secretariat)
🔹 A keynote from Dr. Oleg Kuzmenko (WHO/Europe) on regional priorities and innovative, equity-driven approaches
🔹 National updates from SEEHN Member States: 🇦🇱 🇧🇦 🇧🇬 🇮🇱 🇲🇩 🇲🇪 🇲🇰 🇷🇴 🇷🇸

🎯 Focus areas: midwifery training, community care, workforce development & data systems.

👏 Thanks to all participants for contributing to a future where every mother and newborn in South-Eastern Europe thrives.

📢UPCOMING EVENT!📢 In the spirit of this year’s World Health Day 2025 theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” SEEHN...
26/05/2025

📢UPCOMING EVENT!📢 In the spirit of this year’s World Health Day 2025 theme, “Healthy Beginnings, Hopeful Futures,” SEEHN Secretariat is pleased to invite you to attend the upcoming Online Consultation on Maternal and Newborn Health Challenges in South-Eastern Europe. For any questions ahead of the event and receipt of link to join the event, please feel free to reach out to the SEEHN Secretariat.

What an inspiring experience to have contributed in the WHA78 official side event "Nursing and Midwifery Leadership: Dri...
22/05/2025

What an inspiring experience to have contributed in the WHA78 official side event "Nursing and Midwifery Leadership: Driving Global Health Goals", in Geneva. It was an meagningful exchange with global leaders and a fantastic opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to extend the Global Strategic Directions for Nursing and Midwifery to 2030.
Let's not count nurses, let's make them count!

Special thanks to the WHO Euro and HQ for their leadership and to all Romanian partners: MOH, RHDC on Nursing and Midwifery (Order of Nurses:Mr Timofte) and fantastic moderator Ms Roxana Hainagiu, whose dedication made this event possible. Together, we are shaping the future of nursing and midwifery and driving progress in global health!

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