Reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases – Healthy Life Project


Since 2015, Switzerland supports Moldova in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their impact on the population’s health. The Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine hindered the progress and increased the fragility of Moldova’s health system. In its exit phase, the project will focus on the sustainability of the improvements introduced in NCD prevention and control. By improving the performance of the public health and the primary healthcare systems, the project also strengthens the overall resilience of Moldovan’s health system.

Land/Region Thema Periode Budget
Moldova
Gesundheit
Nicht übertragbare Krankheiten
Stärkung der Gesundheitssysteme
Gesundheitsaufklärung
01.10.2024 - 30.06.2028
CHF  5’120’000
Hintergrund The NCDs (such as cardio-vascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer) continue to be the main cause of premature mortality in Moldova. The progress in addressing NCDs has been hindered by the Covid-19 pandemic and the war in neighboring Ukraine – two major shocks that destabilized Moldova’s security, social and economic situation. They have also put an unprecedented pressure on Moldova’s health system, overstretching its resources. This resulted in decreased accessibility and quality of healthcare services, particularly affecting patients suffering from chronic diseases and vulnerable groups. Medical facilities, esp. outside the capital city, have insufficient equipment and staff. Thus, people from rural and remote areas, have fewer chances to benefit from diagnoses and treatments with modern equipment and methods. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the health system has to deal with an increased number of patients with important healthcare needs, but with no health insurance – refugees from Ukraine are mostly women, children, and elderly, but also people with various disabilities, including those caused by multiple chronic diseases.
Ziele To contribute to the improvement of the health status of the Moldovan population through the reduction of the burden of NCDs.
Zielgruppen

Target group/s: Relevant central and local public authorities, public health specialists and PHC professionals, social workers, community leaders, and civil society.

Final beneficiaries: General population; patients (incl. refugees from Ukraine) with NCDs or at risk of developing NCDs, especially those with multiple chronic conditions and those socially vulnerable, and their families.

Mittelfristige Wirkungen

Outcome 1: National health institutions (and their territorial structures) promote WHO best buys and work in an evidence-based, multi-sectoral manner to increase health literacy of the population.

Outcome 2: Quality integrated services, under-pinned by regulations and education of service providers, improve the prevention and management of NCDs.

Outcome 3: Men and women take responsibility for their own health, demand their rights, and hold decision-makers to account for reaching even the most vulnerable NCD patients.

Resultate

Erwartete Resultate:  

  • National institutions create policies and regulatory framework for better NCD prevention and control
  • Capacities across sectors to design and promote evidence-based public health interventions and to provide patient-centred integrated care are strengthened. National training institutions ensure continuity in educating medical professionals and social workers on NCD prevention and care
  • Communities, incl. local decision-makers and civil society, actively partner with healthcare professionals to ensure needs-based health promotion and to empower patients (esp. in rural areas) to better manage their chronic conditions


Resultate von früheren Phasen:   Since 2015, the project has developed and implemented a package of interventions in public health, primary health care (PHC), community health and social welfare. These interventions include support to health authorities in improving national policies and regulations related to NCD prevention and management; in developing the 2023-27 National NCD Program and Action Plan; and in preparing the reform of community medical assistance, aimed at alleviating family doctors’ workload and saving costs for the health system. The project contributed to the institutionalization of capacity building for various professionals on innovative and cost-effective interventions for health promotion and NCD prevention and control. The project has also developed and successfully piloted a self-management programme for chronic diseases, which helps patients manage their conditions and prevent complications.


Verantwortliche Direktion/Bundesamt DEZA
Projektpartner Vertragspartner
Ausländische staatliche Institution
Schweizerische Hochschul- und Forschungsinstitution
  • Central State of South East
  • Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute


Koordination mit anderen Projekten und Akteuren The project builds on and reaffirms the historical track record of Swiss support to Moldova’s health sector. The project closely cooperates with the WHO and World Bank, that implement Swiss-supported interventions improving governance in the health sector, promoting universal health coverage, and strengthening the emergency healthcare and rehabilitation services (crucial for NCD patients). The project’s health promotion activities encourage health seeking behaviour, allowing for stronger interlinkages with health services developed through other Swiss-funded projects, such as Community Mental Health Centres or Youth Friendly Health Centres.
Budget Laufende Phase Schweizer Beitrag CHF    5’120’000 Bereits ausgegebenes Schweizer Budget CHF    680’000 Projekttotal seit Anfangsphase Schweizer Beitrag CHF   11’951’810 Budget inklusive Projektpartner CHF   17’071’810
Projektphasen Phase 3 01.10.2024 - 30.06.2028   (Laufende Phase) Phase 1 01.01.2015 - 30.09.2020   (Completed)