The quality of health care across Central and Eastern Europe has fallen significantly behind the rest of Europe. Health systems have struggled to modernize and overcome decades of neglect; with multiple countries also rebuilding their health systems after devastation by conflict. Project HOPE’s work in Central and Eastern Europe focuses on humanitarian assistance programs and on improving neonatal and pediatric care. Our programming has included:

• Training to improve management of chronic respiratory diseases, patient safety, HIV/AIDS and mental health.
• Improving neonatal and pediatric care in Romania, Hungary, Poland and North Macedonia.
• Alleviating shortages of essential medicines and medical equipment in North Macedonia and Kosovo
• Innovative, multi-disciplinary, small group-based training on health care management

Currently, Project HOPE is working in North Macedonia and Kosovo, continuing its efforts to strengthen pediatric and neonatal care practices.

Our History in Central and Eastern Europe
Project HOPE began its work in Central and Eastern Europe in 1974 with a partnership with the University Children’s Hospital (UCH) of Krakow, Poland. Since 1974, more than 700 Project HOPE volunteers have provided medical training to more than 6,000 UCH health professionals.

In 1992, Project HOPE pioneered a health care management program in the region, training over 3,500 health care providers in the latest approaches to health care management.

In 2007, we began an innovative strategic medical re-supply program in North Macedonia, working with Ministries of Health to donate essential medicines and supplies to reduce the burden on strained health resources. This opened the door to war-torn Kosovo and helped us provide support to Syrian refugees.