12 October 2026
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News
Strengthening primary health care through cooperation with municipalities
Reviewing the legal framework for engaging health professionals on a voluntary basis and revising the financing formula in line with the actual needs of municipalities were among the key requests arising from the meeting of the Collegium for Health and Social Welfare of the Association of Kosovo Municipalities (AKM). The need for institutional measures to protect healthcare workers from verbal and physical attacks was also highlighted.
During the meeting, which brought into discussion the challenges municipalities face in organising and providing primary health care services, representatives of the AQH Project once again emphasised the importance of using this forum to exchange experiences and advocate for the family medicine agenda.
Regarding the engagement of health professionals and interns, the Collegium requested that the AKM, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, review the legal framework and define a clear and applicable solution. The discussion covered the distinction between professional practice, voluntary engagement and employment, the procedures for selection, financing and supervision, as well as the possibility of engaging experienced professionals, including retired doctors.
With regard to financing, municipalities requested that the formula better reflect the actual service workload, personnel costs, and care provided to non-resident citizens. It was emphasised that these factors, together with data from the latest population census, should be taken into account when revising the formula, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers.
Within the framework of cooperation with AQH, the discussion focused on supporting municipalities in improving the quality of services and strengthening professional practices. Attention was given to linking interventions with needs identified at the local level, with a view to further developing primary health care and family medicine.
During the meeting, which brought into discussion the challenges municipalities face in organising and providing primary health care services, representatives of the AQH Project once again emphasised the importance of using this forum to exchange experiences and advocate for the family medicine agenda.
Regarding the engagement of health professionals and interns, the Collegium requested that the AKM, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, review the legal framework and define a clear and applicable solution. The discussion covered the distinction between professional practice, voluntary engagement and employment, the procedures for selection, financing and supervision, as well as the possibility of engaging experienced professionals, including retired doctors.
With regard to financing, municipalities requested that the formula better reflect the actual service workload, personnel costs, and care provided to non-resident citizens. It was emphasised that these factors, together with data from the latest population census, should be taken into account when revising the formula, in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, Labour and Transfers.
Within the framework of cooperation with AQH, the discussion focused on supporting municipalities in improving the quality of services and strengthening professional practices. Attention was given to linking interventions with needs identified at the local level, with a view to further developing primary health care and family medicine.