Presentation Health in Albania - WBC-Inco

S&T systems and regional research
priorities for the Health field in Albania.
WBC Meeting on May 12-13, 12 13, 2009 in Tirana, Albania.
Mr. Genard Hajdini
Health Specialist
Institute of Public Health (IPH)

INTRODUCTION
““The The greatest greatest wealth wealth is is health.”” health. ~Virgil ~Virgil
The Albanian Health situation in regards to R&D efforts
needs a lot of institutional and organizational support. The
National National Background Background Report Report on on Health Health for for Albania Albania has been
conducted based on the… the
1) 1) National National Program Program for for Research Research and and Development 2007--2009
2007 2009; ;
2) 2) National National Strategy Strategy for for Health Health in in Albania Albania 2007--2013
2007 2013;
3) 3) Draft Draft National National Strategy Strategy of of Science, Science, Technology Technology and and Innovation
Innovation
of of Albania Albania on on 27 27 February February 2009; 2009;
and
4) Cross-sectional Cross sectional data gathered by different ministries in the
Albanian government.
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INTRODUCTION
Public R&D institutions in Albania:
Institute of Public Health (IPH)
Founded on the basis of the Research Institute of Hygiene and
Epidemiology and Immune-biological Immune biological Products (created in 1969).
Faculty of Medicine at UT (Est. 1957).
Mother Teresa University Hospital Center.
Private R&D institutions in Albania:
Lady of Good Council (Catholic) University (accredited)
U.F.O University (not accredited).
Kristal University (not accredited).
Medikadent (not accredited).
Private R&D Clinics and Laboratories:
Private R&D Clinics and Laboratories:
Lady of Good Council Clinic
Lady of Good Council Clinic
Orthodox Clinic
Orthodox Clinic
IKEDA Clinic
Globus Clinic
Didaktalba (Science Equipments Store), etc.
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The Albanian Health Policy
Framework
The National Strategy for Health in Albania 2007-2013 states four main
priorities:
1. Increase of capacities to manage services and institutions in more efficient way,
2. Increase of access toward the effective health services,
3. Improvement of health systems financing, and
4. Improvement of governance in the health system.
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R&D Capacity in S&T Field: HEALTH
Table 1. R&D Capacities in S&T field of Health. 1990 2002 2007 2015
Total number of research organizations 3 4 5 10
Of which universities 1 1 3 4
Of which public research organizations 2 2 2 3
Of which private research organizations 0 0 1 3
Number of PhD students graduated - 12 15 100
Total number of R&D personnel - - 500 950
Percentage of women in the total number of R&D personnel - - 40 50
Total number of employees on a Full-Time-Equivalent (FTE)
basis
- - 400 850
Total number of researchers - - 352 700
Percentage of women in the total number of researchers - - 35 49
Total number of researchers on a FTE basis - - 300 650
Number of researchers with Ph.D. degree or higher 265 400
Number of researchers with Ph.D. degree or higher on a FTE
basis
240 390
Number of researchers under the age of 35 120 250
Number of researchers under the age of 35 on a FTE basis 110 230
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R&D Organizational Infrastructure of IPH in Albania
MINISTRIA
E SHËNDETËSISË
KËSHILLI SHKENCOR DREJTORI
ISHP
KËSHILLI DREJTUES
Zv/Drejtor
Shkencor
Zv/Drejtor
Ekonomik
Zv/Drejtor
Shërbimesh
Mbështetëse
Sektori i
Burimeve
Njerëzore
Sektori i
Administratës
Sektori i
Financës
Asistent i
Drejtorit
Departament i
Epidemiologjisë dhe
Kontrollit të Sëmundjeve
Infektive
Sektori
Survejancës të
Sëmundjeve
Infektive
Sektori
Kontrollit të
Vektorëve
Qëndra e
Këshillimit
Sektori
Vaksinimit
Sektori
Programit
Kombëtar të
HIV/AIDS/SST
Sektori
Laboratorëve
1. Laboratori i Virologjisë
2. Lab. i Imunologjisë (HIV/AIDS dhe hepatite)
3. Lab. i Bakteriologjisë dhe Mykologjisë
4. Kontrolli i Infeksioneve Spitalore
5. Lab. i Biologjisë Molekulare
6. Laboratori i Parazitologjisë
7. Laboratori i Preparatorisë
8. Lab. i Prodhimit të Antigeneve dhe Serumeve
Diagnostike
Departament i
Ekspertizës Sanitare
Seksioni i Ujit
Sanitetit
Seksioni i Fizikës
Sanitare
Seksioni i Kontrollit
të Cilësisë së Ajrit
Seksioni i Shëndetit
në Punë
Seksioni i Ujit
Sanitetit
Seksioni i
Laboratorëve
1. Zyra e Sigurimit dhe Kontrollit të Cilësisë; 2. Lab. i Mikrobiologjisë së Ushqimeve dhe Mykologjisë; 3. Lab. i
Biokimisë; 4. Lab. i Kimisë së Ujit dhe Sanitetit; 5. Lab. i Kimisë së Ushqimeve; 6. Lab. i Kimisë Analitike
Instrumentale; 7. Teknika Kromatografike; 8. Teknika e Absorbimit Atomik.
Departament i
Epidemiologjisë dhe Kontrollit
të Sëmundjeve Kronike dhe
Sistemeve Shëndetësore
Seksioni i
Epidemiologjisë dhe
Indikatorëve
Shëndetësor
Seksioni i Shëndetit
Riprodhues
Sektori i Politikave dhe
Sistemit Shëndetësor
Sektori i Merëmbajtjes
së Kafsheve (Vivarium)
Sektori i Botimeve
Departament i
Edukimit dhe Promocionit
të Shëndetit
Seksioni i Shëndetit
Komunitar
Seksioni i Shëndetit
në Shkolla
Seksioni i Shëndetit
Riprodhues
Seksioni i Shëndetit
Mendor
Seksioni i Abuzimit
me Substancat
Qëndra e Trajnimit
Sektori i
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Radiombrojtjes

R&D Financing in Health
Table 2. Performance of economy and sectors relevant for S&T field:
Sectors/Year GDP
(000 €)
2007
(Sector GDP/
Total GDP) %
National economy 15,000 0.2
I sector: Health 3,743 0.05
II sector: Education 5,240 0.07
III sector: Agriculture 4,491 0.06
IV sector: Environment 1,497 0.02
V sector: -- - -
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R&D Projects
Table 3. List of Completed and Continues Projects at Institute of Public Health (IPH) in Albania.
Title of Project: Financed ~(USD) Donor Organization
1. Demographic and Health Survey
2. Behavioral & Biological Survey (HIV/AIDS)
3. School Surveys (YRBS, ESPAD)
4. Hepatitis Sero-prevalence Survey
5. PHC Service Capacities and Gaps
a. Vaccination
b. Cancer
c. CVD
6. Iodine Deficiency Survey
7. Nutrition and Obesity Surveys
8. Stress and Mental Health at the Workplace
9. Other Research (outbreak investigations, air & water
pollutions, health indicators)
10. Virology Laboratory
11. Molecular Biology Lab.
12. Chemistry (iodine)
13. Clinical Lab.
14. Air Pollution
15. New Vaccines
16. Detection Programs STI (VCT)
17. Detection Program Chronic Disease
18. New Surveillance Systems (abortion, STI, birth defects)
19. Family Planning
20. Food Safety Assessment
(Source: IPH)
$1,000,000
100,000
30,000
30,000
100,000/40,000/10,000
100,000
20,000
10,000
50,000
100,000
100,000
30,000
10,000
100,000
1,000,000
50,000
10,000
20,000 x 3 = 60,000
100,000
15,000
USAID/Swiss/UNFPA
Global Fund (GF)
UNFPA
MASH (MOES)
GAVI/UNFPA/MoH
UNICEF
MASH (MOES)
MoH
MoH
World Bank
MoH
MoH
MoH
WHO
MoH + GAVI
Global Fund
MoH
UNFPA
UNFPA
MASH (MOES)
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R&D Projects
Table 4. Projects financed for R&D by the Ministry of Education for year 2008.
Budget of Ministry of Education for the Year
2008 in R&D:
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana.
In Lek/~Euro
130 Lek = €1
456,000/3,500
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana. 44,000/350
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana.
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana.
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana.
University of Tirana. Faculty of Medicine Q. S.
“Nene Teresa” Tirana.
(Source: MOES).
500,000/3,850
400,000/3,080
100,000/770
500,000/3,850
Title of Project
Brain mapping in surgery of cerebral brain cancers.
Ridvan Alimehmeti
Brain mapping in surgery of cerebral brain cancers.
Ridvan Alimehmeti
Risk factors for the cardiovascular diseases in Albanian
autochthon population and in those immigrated in Italy.
Mihal Tase
The organization of an Albanian center for diagnosis of
early pregnancies and prevention of genetic
malformations. Vahe Mokini
The organization of an Albanian center for diagnosis of
early pregnancies and prevention of genetic
malformations. Vahe Mokini
The improvement of diagnostic methods and the
formation of medical scientific personnel in the field of
infectious diseases. Arjan Harxhi.
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R&D Challenges & Opportunities
Strengths
Strong laboratories infrastructure.
Tradition and Knowledge Transfer.
Some Human Capacities.
Strong Logistics in the Field.
Center of Information on PH.
Opportunities
S.W.O.T Analysis
Strong National Network with DPH.
Well-positioned between University
and MOH.
Supportive Legislation in Progress.
International Networks & Partnerships.
R&D has become a Priority:
National & International Funds
Weaknesses
Fragile Quality Assurance System
In Process of National & International
Accreditation.
High Turnover Rate-Brain Drain.
Lack of R&D Coordination Office.
Low Absorption of Funds for R&D.
Threats
New Governmental Structures
overlapping with IPH Functions.
PH Emergencies & Program
Administration diverts energy &
resources.
Aid Funds & “Easy Money” create a
dependency on low expectations and
impedes competitiveness
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Health Research Priorities on the Basis of
the Country’s Country s Readiness
Health research priorities on the basis of the country readiness
are:
1) Prevention of diseases and risk factors;
2) Mental health;
3) Non-infectious diseases with special importance;
4) Infectious disease;
5) Quality Assurance of Health Systems.
Also other points to be considered are:
1) Emergency alert and quick response toward natural and humanly caused
catastrophes, accidents, and urgent situations;
2) Response to epidemics and pandemics in the country and region;
3) Allocation of resources toward public health research and response;
4) Clinical studies toward the most killing disease in the country both:
infectious and non-infectious;
5) Accreditation and quality assurance of the laboratories and medical
facilities in the country;
6) Public health and medical personnel capacities for country’s readiness;
7) Facility and infrastructure building with contemporary standards with a
good health systems information network in Albania.
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Health Research Priorities on the Basis of
Future Potential
The health research priorities on the basis of future potential are:
1. Public Health (Genetic Screening);
2. Health Information Systems—the build up of Database Warehouses;
3. Biotechnology and clinical research;
4. Accreditation and Quality Assurance of all healthcare system: hospitals, clinics,
institutes through the national and international entities;
5. Establishment of high financial management of the Hospital and University
Hospital Systems;
6. Albanian Centers for Excellence;
7. New Departments in Albanian Universities for PhD accredited programs in
health sciences.
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You have questions,
Q&A
And I have answers…
The End…
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