(ANSA) - TRIESTE, 24 SET - Strengthening collaboration among the Western Balkans to rethink traditional models of primary health care with the aim of "better addressing non-communicable diseases" and "reinforcing mental health services," including through the use of advanced digital technologies. To this end, the Central European Initiative (CEI), in collaboration with the WHO-European Regional Office, will organize a second international meeting in Trieste on September 28-30, following the one promoted in 2021.

Senior WHO representatives and about 40 people from countries from Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Kosovo will attend the meeting.

The goal of the technical meeting, the promoters explained, is to support stakeholders in implementing the initiatives envisioned in the Roadmap for Health in the Western Balkans (2021-2025), developed by the WHO and aimed at closing the health gap between the area and the EU, and accelerating recovery after the Covid 19 crisis.

The meeting aims to set priorities, plan actions, and next steps. Scheduled speakers include those from health institutions in Friuli Venezia Giulia, who will describe examples of Italian best practices.

Participants will also have the opportunity to visit selected healthcare facilities. Opening the three-day in-depth discussion on the morning of September 28 will be, among others, CEI Secretary-General Roberto Antonione and the director of WHO Europe's Country Support and Health Emergencies Division, Gundo Weiler. (ANSA).