From a Community–based Program to National Policy on Health Promotion: The Albania Story

Providers at the primary level of services do not engage in health promotion and health education; this is part of the cause for low levels of health knowledge at the community level. It is also the case that mass media campaigns are more in vogue, even though in Albania such programs have no real targets, indicators or baselines for measuring success or failure. The PRO Health (Pro Health) program in partnership with the Institute of Public Health developed a community-based health promotion strategy with “mass” impact potential. At its core lies a network of health educators established throughout rural communities in five of the twelve regions of Albania. Health promotion teams are made up of both primary health care providers and community members. In less than a year, well over 50,000 men and women were engaged in health promotion activities. Monitoring and evaluation reports show increased levels of knowledge in communities and visits at health centers. This presentation outlines the steps followed in making the program a success story; and then, how the story is being institutionalized into a national health promotion strategy.