Kosovo* strengthens health security through intersectoral collaboration with WHO support

The efforts of Kosovo* to enhance health security have gained significant momentum, with key progress in strengthening health system resilience. At the end of 2024, Kosovo* adopted an action plan for health security that subsequently shaped the chapters on emergency preparedness and response in the health sector strategy for 2025–2030, which was adopted in December 2024 and formally approved in February 2025.

The strategy sets priorities and actions to improve the population’s quality of life. In addition, it outlines public health emergency preparedness and response as a long-term vision and foundation for improving health and well-being, and for building a stronger, more resilient and responsive health system.

These actions to strengthen health security were prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted critical areas for improvement, particularly in capacities to prevent and contain the spread of diseases. Historically, Kosovo* lacked a comprehensive plan defining the key priorities and resources needed by various stakeholders to prepare for and respond to health emergencies.

Recognizing the need for a unified approach, Kosovo* has made significant strides in building an intersectoral framework for health security. These efforts are supported and facilitated by WHO/Europe, the WHO Office in Pristina and the WHO Western Balkans Hub, and co-financed by the European Union.

A comprehensive approach

To better understand the challenges it was facing, in May 2023 Kosovo* completed its first-ever external health security assessment based on WHO’s joint external evaluation model. One of the 85 recommendations was to develop and cost an action plan for health security based on a One Health approach. As a result, a 3-fold ambition was set to:

• trigger and maintain sector-wide participation of all relevant stakeholders
• co-develop a health security plan and ensure its co-ownership among authorities
• agree on the cost of the plan, its formal approval and commitment to implementation.

“To achieve greater impact and to truly leave no one behind, we needed to go beyond the health sector,” explained Mr Oleksandr Martynenko, Liaison Officer at the WHO Office in Pristina. “Our goal was to create a sense of ownership, where better health and well-being is everyone’s business.”

A new, enhanced delegation of authority has expanded the decision-making power of the WHO Office in Pristina and unlocked opportunities for intersectoral collaboration. It empowers staff to connect with experts from the agriculture, education and environmental sectors, as well as from the Emergency Management Agency (EMA).

Dr Isme Humolli, Emergency Officer at the WHO Office in Pristina, shared, “We raised awareness about the critical importance of a multisectoral approach to better understand our common risks and to co-design common solutions.” 

Convening experts

To help formulate the action plan, WHO convened a series of multisectoral expert consultations that resulted in agreement on a list of health security priorities and risks. Joint visits to points of entry and veterinary laboratories assessed their overall capacities and identified WHO support for faster and more accurate detection of cross-border threats.

A policy dialogue with agriculture, environment and health authorities on antimicrobial resistance also amplified ongoing work on the One Health approach in health policy-making in Kosovo*. For professionals and the media, it highlighted the delicate interconnectedness of environmental, human and animal health, and prompted commitment to integrated surveillance by food and veterinary agencies.

“The adoption of the action plan is a significant milestone in advancing WHO/Europe’s Preparedness 2.0 strategy,” said Dr Ihor Perehinets, Regional Emergency Director for WHO/Europe. “It is fostering effective resource allocation to health security capacities, building robust partnerships, and anticipating health threats through evidence-based planning, strategic prioritization, and a whole-of-society approach to safeguard health and protect lives.”

Strong partnerships

WHO’s partnership with the EMA led to the organization of several prioritization consultations and the integration of EMA-led activities on strengthening health emergency preparedness and response into the health sector strategy for 2025–2030.

“I am grateful to WHO for bringing us all together. Our joint work, commitment and shared responsibility is the only way forward to build and maintain a safer and healthier future for all of us,” said Mr Mustafa Gashi, acting Director of the EMA.

Partners will engage more closely with civil society to raise awareness about One Health, and will place the health-in-all-strategies approach at the core of the implementation plan.

Dr Pranvera Kaçaniku Gunga, Head of the Communicable Disease Unit at the Institute of Public Health in Pristina, expressed, “We thank and rely on WHO to continue being a trusted bridge that connects science and capacities across sectors in Kosovo*.”

This collaboration marks a critical step in preparing Kosovo* for future health emergencies, ensuring a coordinated response that goes beyond the health sector and includes a wide range of stakeholders. As Kosovo* continues to address its health security challenges, this broad coalition of support and cooperation is expected to play a pivotal role in its resilience against future crises.

WHO will continue providing its normative guidance and leveraging partnerships among various sectors in the joint pursuit for better health, well-being and a safer WHO European Region. In addition to Kosovo*, 9 countries have now developed their respective national action plans for health security, with 5 more countries in the preparation phase.

*All references to Kosovo in this document should be understood to be in the context of the United Nations Security Council resolution 1244 (1999).

Related

National action plan for health security: enhancing health emergency preparedness

External health security capacity assessment of Kosovo[1] (2024)

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic

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