Since the start of the second phase of implementation (from 1 April 2019), HAP has worked, among others, on drafting a new model of home-based care and review of clinical protocols and guidelines (CPGs) for the treatment of five, most common non-communicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, dyslipidemias, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) by primary healthcare professionals.
Following an inclusive and participatory process with HAP’s partners, the final documents for both interventions, were approved by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection who decided to upscale them at national level, namely in 18 PHC centers located in 4 regions: Korça, Shkodra, Elbasan and Durrës. HAP is therefore supporting the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, Health Service Operator and Local Units of Healthcare (LUHC) in implementing the needed actions toward the upscale. As of August 2022, HAP support on this regard has been focused on:
– Capacitating PHC teams (family doctors and nurses) in using CPGs for 5 non-communicable diseases (NCDs)
HAP has supported LUHCs in Durrës, Berat and Shkodra through “Training of Trainers on enabling family doctors and family nurses in use of CGPs”. All LUHCs have taken the needed measures to provide Training of Trainers to pairs of family doctors and family nurses from each health center in their respective area, on the use of CPGs for management of hypertension, diabetes mellitus type II, dyslipidemias, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at PHC level.
– Taking the needed measures to implement home-based care
Following meetings with each LUHC, HAP has provided them the internal regulation for the necessary organization adaptation at health center level to offer home-based care. On this regard, teams from HCs in Durrës and Korça regions conducted exchange visits in Patos HC where several HAP-introduced interventions have been implemented, including home-based care and new clinical protocols and guidelines.