Improving access and quality of health services in inaccessible and remote settlements of the border region of Gotse Delchev Municipality and Municipality of Paggaio

Aging and related diseases, poverty which directly obstructing trips to local and regional health centers and the spread of chronic diseases are a major cause of exclusion of large populations from primary health care (PHC),poor quality of health services and not at least increase healthcare costs. Not solve the problems of access to PHC burden enormously hospital services, thereby endangering the stability of the whole health system and also the social care system.

The project approach addressing the common CB challenges and problems through introducing a telemedicine service in primary health care of the region.
 

The overall objective of the project is to reduce inequalities in terms of health status of local population by improve access to quality health care - primary care in difficult accessible/remote areas of the border region through introducing a telemedicine in CB region.
 

The successful implementation will result in the improved municipal healthcare infrastructure and new medical equipment with telemedicine connections in Center for telemedicine(in town of G.Delchev) and renovated Health offices in hard to reach places Breznitza and Lazhnitza village in BG and in Centre for telemedicine (in Eleutheroupoli) and Health offices in Georgiani in Nea Peramos GR, trained medical personnel for provision primary health care using telemedicine services; free primary examinations carried out on both sides of the border, established Joint Advisory Council in primary care doctors on both sides of the border and elaborated of Joint CB Action plan for coordination, prevention, surveillance and early warning and control contagious, infectious and parasitic diseases with cross-border nature. All people living in difficult to access or remote areas of the municipal medical center, elderly people, disabled people with reduced mobility and chronically ill patients will benefit from project.

Innovation in our approach is the ability of doctors from PHC and health personnel ,if necessary, to have constant access to all data and to share information with medical specialists including in municipal hospitals in real time without necessarily be stationed at the center for telemedicine and to realised distance consultation (remote diagnosis and assist with emergencies).This will eliminate the time required to exchange the necessary information and to plan the necessary actions. Also in the event that requires support from hospital, all data for the patient and, if necessary audiovisual link will be available to doctors in the hospital using the telemedicine system capabilities, to provide diagnosis, treatment guidelines, and so in a situation of emergency where the patient will have to be transferred to a hospital, all the physiological data of the patient will be automatically transferred.
Thus the staff of the hospital will have a clear idea, and even real-time monitoring of the patient's condition, transferred to plan and prepare for patient management.