Key Considerations for Advancing Health Policy in the Western Balkans
A comprehensive analysis of public health challenges and reform opportunities in the Western Balkans is now available through a new Policy Brief and Policy Report developed within the POLICY ANSWERS project.
The documents explore urgent health-related issues across the region, such as the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, ageing populations, underfinancing of health systems, and environmental health risks. At the same time, the Western Balkans economies are showing encouraging progress in areas like digital health, preventive services, and cross-border cooperation.
Based on expert interviews, regional data and the outcomes of the 2023 POLICY ANSWERS Policy Dialogue Conference held in Sarajevo, the Policy Report offers a detailed overview of health policy systems and reform dynamics in the region, addressing infrastructure, workforce skills, governance models, and strategic, legal and regulatory frameworks. Drawing from this analysis, the Policy Brief outlines actionable directions for building more resilient, inclusive and sustainable health systems, such as:
- Strengthening regional cooperation and integration
- Prioritising sustainability and the Green Agenda in healthcare
- Leveraging the private sector and Public-Private Partnerships as an opportunity
- Retaining and expanding the healthcare workforce
- Advancing digital health and AI transformation
- Reforming health financing to reduce dependence on out-of-pocket payments
- Addressing health inequities
- Expanding preventive health programs and primary healthcare
- Enhancing crisis response and preparedness
- Aligning health policies with EU standards
Good practices from across the region are also featured in the Policy Report, including Albania’s e-prescription system, North Macedonia’s “Moj Termin” e-health platform, Serbia’s Integrated Health Information System (IHIS), Kosovo’s national Radiotherapy Centre, Montenegro’s Digital Innovation Hubs, and the family medicine model of primary care in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
These strategic insights support future health planning and greater alignment with EU policies, the upcoming Framework Programme (FP10), and the WHO Roadmap for Health and Well-being in the Western Balkans 2021–2025.
Read the full documents here:
Policy Brief: Health Policy Considerations in the Western Balkans
POLICY REPORT: HEALTH POLICY CONSIDERATIONS IN THE WESTERN BALKANS
Receive the Funding Newswire [full access requires a subscription] each Tuesday, our Policy Bulletin each Thursday, and news about bridging Europe’s east-west innovation gap twice a month in The Widening. 
A unique international forum for public research organisations and companies to connect their external engagement with strategic interests around their R&D system.