Strengthening evidence-based health planning through local health profiles in Moldova

The SDC’s “Reducing the Burden of NCDs in Moldova” (Healthy Life) project contributes to the improvement of the health status of the Moldovan population, especially in rural areas, through the reduction of the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The project is supporting the development of evidence-based health promotion strategies and places an emphasis on the collection and use of local data for health planning. Healthy Life is thus expanding an initiative piloted by WHO in 2013 and endorsed by the Ministry of Health in 2014 to develop local “Health Profiles”. Health Profiles are tools that help local stakeholders generate data on a number of health indicators and develop corresponding action plans to address any identified issues.

After assessing in late 2017 the national experience of conducting Health Profiles in Moldova, the Healthy Life project held in May 2018 a national workshop to present the results of the assessment as well as the international experience in this area. WHO consultant Dr. Laura Aaben presented Estonia’s 10 years of developing regional health profiles and using them for local health planning. National good practices were also showcased with the examples of Orhei and Cahul districts which have used health profile data to develop intersectoral, public health action plans.

Discussions with workshop participants highlighted the value of Health Profiles for evidence-based health planning but pointed at areas where further capacity building and support are needed. In the coming months, the Healthy Life project will support partners to take the existing Health Profiles to the next level and develop action plans through capacity building and financial support for their implementation. This is taking place in a context of major reforms in the territorial and administrative sectors as well as in the public health domain.