Towards better health and well-being in Small Countries in the WHO European Region: the Montenegro statement: Eighth high-level meeting of the Small Countries Initiative, 2–3 June 2022, Bečići (Budva), Montenegro

The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on countries’ health systems and economies, but its impact on the 11 smallest countries in the WHO European Region – many of which rely on tourism as a large part of their national economy – has been particularly severe. Meeting at the Eighth high-level meeting of the WHO/Europe Small Countries Initiative, the countries’ health ministers and delegates endorsed a bold vision to drive recovery in the post-COVID-19 era. The two-day event, held on 2–3 June 2022 in Bečići, Montenegro, saw the ministers and their representatives discuss two key issues: how small countries can successfully recover from the pandemic, and how they can place health at the heart of their tourism sectors. At the end of the meeting, the countries’ delegates unanimously adopted the Montenegro statement, which outlines key commitments for moving forward.

Disruption in services for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections during the COVID-19 pandemic in the WHO European Region: a scoping review

This scoping review provides an overview and analysis of publications and data from 1 February 2020–15 September 2021 that assessed the disruption of HIV, sexually transmitted infection (STI) and viral hepatitis services, and/or reasons for the disruption and adaptive measures implemented as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the WHO European Region. The scoping review identified 132 relevant publications, with almost two thirds in the form of grey literature, in addition validated data from UNAIDS and WHO databases and surveys were included in the analysis. Data suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused various degrees of disruption of these services, in particular at the very onset of the pandemic, with some rebound by the end of 2020, but with persistent reports of disruption into 2021. Large variations across countries and within countries were noted. The services most affected appeared to be testing services for each of HIV, STIs and hepatitis;hepatitis treatment services;and HIV prevention services– although the impact of the pandemic on harm reduction services, including OST was highly variable across the Region. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) services were generally more resilient, however a disruption of new enrollments into ART was evident. The trends depicted in the review are comparable to findings globally and from other regions and countries, although further data, particularly validated national data and disaggregated data, are required to confirm the impact on COVID-19 on these services as well as specific coverage gaps of key populations in the Region. More evidence is also required on the effectiveness and sustainability of adaptive mechanisms applied during the pandemic. Considerations for a more efficient future monitoring of disruption in services include: supporting monitoring at national level;stimulating rigorous implementation research;integrating and streamlining data collection at global level;and improving coordination of service disruption monitoring.

Health and care workforce in Europe: time to act

All countries of the WHO European Region currently face severe challenges related to the health and careworkforce (HCWF). This report focuses on identifying effective policy and planning responses to these HCWFchallenges across the Region. The report presents an overview of the HCWF situation in the Region (focusing onmedical doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, pharmacists and physiotherapists, for whom data are available)and identifies relevant policy options, their expected benefits and potential facilitators or barriers to successfulimplementation. Examples of sound evidence-informed practices in countries are also provided. The aim of thereport is to describe the data, rather than to analyse. Data supplied by countries have been used, but in manycases these have been incomplete. It is expected that data will grow progressively in future. No data on informalhealth workers are included. The WHO Regional Office for Europe, working with stakeholders, will supportMember States’ efforts to strengthen their HCWF. It will continue to make the case for investment in the HCWFnot only to secure health gains, but also to achieve economic and social benefits

Technical brief on strengthening the nursing and midwifery workforce to improve health outcomes: Government Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officers (GCNMOs) in the WHO European Region

Recognizing the critical contribution of the nursing and midwifery professions to health systems, population health and efforts to achieve the SustainableDevelopment Goals and universal health coverage,and in response to World Health Assembly resolution WHA 74.15, this technical brief aims to: support governments to strengthen government chief nursing and midwifery officers (GCNMOs) in their countries;identify the current roles and responsibilities of GCNMOs and senior nursing and midwifery leaders in the WHO European Region;and explore the enablers to support GCNMOs and/or senior nursing and midwifery leaders to work more effectively to support improved health outcomes. The ultimate goal is to increase the impact of GCNMOs and senior nursing and midwifery leaders on health, social care and health workforce policy to improve health outcomes

Resilience of age-friendly environments during the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learnt from 12 European cities

The WHO Regional office for Europe collaborated with 12 cities of the Healthy Ageing Task Force of the WHO European Healthy Cities Network to identify the main challenges facing older people and their city leaders during the pandemic. Ideas about resilience and successful ways to adapt were exchanged

Responding to violence against women and children during COVID-19: impact on service provision, strategies and actions in the WHO European Region

This report explores the strategies led by government, nongovernmental and civil society organizations to prevent and respond to violence against women and children (VAWC) during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the impact of the pandemic on service demand across the WHO European Region. An assessment between 1 January and 17 September 2020 included a scoping review of publications and media reports, a survey distributed to the WHO European Healthy Cities Network and violence and injury prevention focal points, and interviews with key informants. Measures to prevent and respond to VAWC were taken by 52 Member States, the most common being the use of media to raise awareness of VAWC and provision of services through online platforms. There was a median reported increase in service demand related to VAWC of approximately 20% overall and 47% for services provided by nongovernmental organizations, contrasted with an increase of 6% for law enforcement services and a decrease of 8% for health and social services.

Seventh high-level meeting of small countries: small country experiences during COVID-19: online, 28 June 2021, 10:00–11:30 CET

This report summarizes the main findings derived from the Seventh high-level meeting of small countries. At the meeting, representatives of 11 small countries in Europe identified their needs in building forward during and after COVID-19, as well as priorities and opportunities for joint action in the implementation of the European Programme of Work 2020–2025. Solidarity among the small countries was clear and the importance on capitalizing on their experiences regarding the COVID-19 pandemic was agreed. The meeting concluded with a Statement from the small countries, which would act as a soft agreement about priority areas for action.

WHO European Regional technical briefing: rehabilitation after COVID-19: what we currently know and resources we have. A virtual meeting hosted by WHO Regional Office for Europe

This technical briefing aimed to provide Member States of the WHO European Region with information and resources to support rehabilitation after COVID-19 infection. It provided background on the importance of rehabilitation following COVID-19 infection, followed by an overview of rehabilitation service models for managing the post-COVID-19 condition, including examples from a number of Member States. The post-COVID-19 condition, termed long COVID by patient groups, was also considered from the patients’ perspective, including the importance of including patients in research. WHO has produced a variety of resources for different stakeholders on rehabilitation following COVID-19 infection, and stands ready to support Member States.

Schooling in the time of COVID-19: towards a consensus on schooling in the European Region during the COVID-19 pandemic

This working paper serves as a reference point for national education and health authorities as they seek to plan and implement effective schooling during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Originally prepared toinform the high-level meeting on “Schooling in the time of COVID-19” held on 31 August 2020,it seeks to provide a general framework and upstream considerations for decision-makers.

Meeting on “Schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic” A high-level virtual briefing for ministers of health: Rome, Italy and Copenhagen, Denmark 31 August 2020. Meeting report

Jointly hosted by the Ministry of Health of Italy and the WHO Regional Office for Europe (Rome, Italy and Copenhagen, Denmark), 31 August 2020. This meeting report represents a summary of the discussions and directions from the meeting. It is not a full transcript and involves only limited individual attribution of statements.

WHO Country Office Kazakhstan: mid-year activity report 2021

This Mid-Year Activity Report provides detailed information on COVID-19 activities and other programmatic initiatives that were implemented from January to June 2021 by the WHO Country Office in Kazakhstan (WHO Kazakhstan).

Kyrgyzstan: analysing data on diabetes to underpin better care NCD stories from the field

This study was part of a large project commissioned by WHO to support the Ministry of Health and the Mandatory Health Insurance Fund in Kyrgyzstan. The aim was to assess the feasibility of the national electronic primary health care database in producing information on the disease burden of the patient population and on theprocesses and quality of care for patients with NCDs in primary health care. Data were extracted from four primary health care clinics in Bishkek in 2017 and 2018. Information was gathered on all appointments in the clinics, totalling 48 564 patients. The analysis in the 2019 report highlighted some of the gaps in the health system and signposted exactly what needed to change. The findings, which took even the doctors by surprise, included: • an estimate that there are eight times as many people with undiagnosed diabetes as those who are diagnosed;• only 3% of people with diabetes registered in family medical centres were under 40;• some physicians did not know or understand the different classifications of diabetes and the implications for therapy;and • routine blood glucose monitoring was carried out in only around half of diabetes patients, with consequent risks to achieving good blood-glucose control during the year.

Ninth meeting of the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) of the European Environment and Health Task Force: meeting report: virtual session, 19 May 2021

On 19 May 2021, the Working Group on Health in Climate Change (HIC) of the European Environment and Health Task Force convened virtually for its ninth annual meeting. The HIC meeting was held in conjunction with a civil society event arranged by the WHO Civil Society Working Group to Advance Action on Climate Change and Health the following day. Together, the meetings were organized to facilitate dialogue and cooperation among Member States of the WHO European Region and civil society stakeholders on addressing the health challenges posed by climate change. This report refers to the meeting on 19 May 2021 organized by the secretariat of HIC. The HIC meeting also provided updates on global and European Region policy developments on climate change and health, and it articulated key messages on the topic from regional stakeholders in advance of coming national, regional and global meetings on climate change.

Summit on actions required to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and service delivery systems in the WHO European Region: Athens, Hellenic Republic, 22–23 July 2021

Mental health is a priority of WHO’s European Programme of Work, 2020–2025 (EPW). The EPW’s Mental Health Coalition flagship initiative focuses on transforming attitudes around mental health, expediting mental health reforms and accelerating progress towards universal health coverage for people with mental health conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted the critical importance of mental health and elevated it to the global discussion forum. In light of this, it was considered timely to hold an international meeting that will generate clear proposals and garner high-level political commitment to place mental health policy implementation at the heart of the economic and social recovery process, taking stock of the lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and building on the shared experience of years of mental health reform. This report provides summaries of the presentations and discussions at the meeting, and includes the Athens Mental Health Summit Declaration.

A timeline of WHO’s response to COVID-19 in the WHO European Region: a living document (update to version 2.0 from 31 December 2019 to 31 July 2021)

This “living” document presents an update to the previous timeline covering from 31 December 2019 to 31 December 20201. It describes the continuation of the Regional Office’s response to the ongoing pandemic and includes updates in the light of new information. This document highlights the response operationsled by the WHO European Region. It showcases a wide range of the activities that WHO/Europe hasinitiated and participated in to support countries and communities in the WHO European Region in responding to the needs of the evolving situation.

Seventh meeting of the Technical Advisory Group on Safe Schooling during the COVID-19 pandemic: Copenhagen, Denmark, 12 October 2021

The Technical Advisory Group (TAG) on Safe Schooling During the COVID-19 Pandemic was set up to provide strategic and technical advice to the WHO Regional Office for Europe on matters relating to schooling in times of COVID-19, including the epidemiology of school transmission, infection prevention and control and public health measures and their effects on the development and well-being of school-aged children. The TAG aims to identify findings from emerging evidence to inform policy decisions in terms of education, social, development and health outcomes for children and adolescents. This report is of the seventh TAG meeting, held on 12 October 2021.

Report of the tenth meeting of the European Environment and Health Task Force: virtual, 17–18 February 2021

The tenth meeting of the Environment and Health Task Force (EHTF) was convened virtually on 17 and 18 February 2021. Following an open dialogue for stakeholders and the general public, representatives discussed the implications of the pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for the environment and health agenda, the programme of work of the EHTF for the next year, the monitoring framework for implementation of the Ostrava Declaration and initial preparations for the Seventh Ministerial Conference on Environment and Health;they also adopted changes to the Rules of Procedure of the EHTF.