RURAL CARE: Improving Access to Public Health Services for Rural Communities in Serbia and Montenegro

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Programme: CBC SRB-MNE 2021-2027 (IPA III)
Call for Proposals: 1st Call for Proposals (EuropeAid/185585/ID/ACT/Multi)
Contract No. 002782276 2024 10520 028 002 000 001 – 5
Project Title: RURAL CARE: Improving Access to Public Health Services for Rural Communities in Serbia and Montenegro
Specific objective of the Programme: SO 1.1 To improve the quality of public health and social services for inclusion of marginalised groups in the programme area
Programmes’ result: 1.1.1. Enhanced quality of and access to health services for marginalised groups
Project budget: Total contract amount (€): Contracted amount EU (€) and % of total contract amount:
572,839.38 485,104.02

84.68 %
Beneficiaries of funds: Lead applicant: Co-applicant:
MNE: Municipality of Plužine SRB: Municipality of Ivanjica
Location of the action: SRB: MNE:
Municipality of Ivanjica Municipality of Plužine
Target groups: •     Residents of rural and remote settlements in the municipalities of Plužine and Ivanjica with limited access to regular health services (approx. 6,000–7,000 persons);

•     Local public health institutions involved in the organisation and delivery of mobile health services (approx. 40–50 staff members);

•     Decision-makers and professionals from the municipalities of Plužine and Ivanjica (approx. 10–20 persons);

•     Final beneficiaries: residents of the municipalities of Plužine and Ivanjica benefiting from improved, institutionalised and sustainable access to health services (approx. 17,000–18,000 persons); the municipal administrations of Plužine and Ivanjica (2 municipalities); local health centres in Plužine and Ivanjica (2 institutions, approx. 100–120 staff indirectly benefiting).
Commencement date and project duration: 01/12/2026 – 30/11/2028, 24 months
Overall objective: To contribute to improved social inclusion and quality of life of rural populations in the cross-border area of Montenegro and Serbia by enhancing equitable access to essential public health services for marginalised and hard-to-reach communities.
Specific objective(s): To improve the quality, accessibility and sustainability of public health services for rural and marginalised populations in the municipalities of Plužine and Ivanjica through the establishment and institutionalisation of a mobile health service model.
Estimated results: R1. Strengthened capacity of local public health systems to deliver outreach-based, preventive and responsive health services in rural areas through cross-border exchange of knowledge and practices.

R2. Enhanced quality of and access to primary and specialised health services for rural and marginalised groups in remote settlements of Plužine and Ivanjica.

R3. Institutionalised and financially sustainable mobile health service model embedded within municipal health governance frameworks and local health centres.
Main activities

(in relation to the estimated results of the action):

 WP1 (R1): Assessment and alignment of mobile health service models

A.1.1 Assessment and analysis of health needs and access gaps in rural and remote settlements of Plužine and Ivanjica

A.1.2 Sharing and exchange of best practices in providing health services in rural and remote areas of Plužine and Ivanjica

A.1.3 Development of a coordinated mobile health service model, adapted to the national legal and institutional frameworks in each country

WP2 (R2): Establishment of mobile health services

A.2.1 Procurement and equipping of a new mobile medical vehicle in Plužine

A.2.2 Procurement and equipping of a new mobile medical vehicle in Ivanjica

A.2.3 Preparation, commissioning and staff training for safe and autonomous operation of the mobile medical vehicles

WP3 (R2): Delivery of mobile health services in rural and remote settlements

A.3.1 Organisation of mobile health service delivery, including allocation of medical staff, logistical arrangements and scheduling of visits

A.3.2 Provision of medical examinations and preventive health services to residents of rural villages through scheduled mobile medical visits

A.3.3 Public outreach and communication activities to inform rural populations about scheduled visits, available services and access modalities

WP4 (R3): Institutionalisation and sustainability of mobile health services

A.4.1 Drafting and adoption of municipal support measures for the integration of mobile health services into local health protection policies

A.4.2 Institutionalisation of mobile health services within local health centres, including definition of operational arrangements and responsibilities for continued service delivery
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