IHS Steering Committee Visits Gjakova Hospital to Review Project Progress
On 13 June 2025, the Steering Committee of the Integrated Health Services (IHS) project visited the Regional Hospital of Gjakova to observe project implementation at the facility level. The visit was part of the project’s fifth Steering Committee meeting agenda.
The tour began at the Outpatient Department, where the delegation was introduced to new approaches in managing diabetes and hypertension. These included clinical counselling, diabetic foot care and neuropathies diagnosed through electromyography (ENMG). An innovative self-management programme with user-friendly application “Monitorim” was presented by frontline staff. Demonstrations also featured patient education materials: brochures, posters, and videos, as well as standard operating procedures aimed at enhancing care delivery.
In the Internal Ward, hospital staff showcased daily operations and improvements supported by the IHS project. Visitors toured the Health Education room and learned about ward-based patient counselling services. The team presented findings from the latest patient experience survey and described ongoing specialist-led training programs conducted in partnership with the Kosovo Hospital and University Clinical Services (KHUCS).
At the construction site of a new multifunctional area, the focus shifted to future development plans. Presentations highlighted the Health Promoting Hospital (HPH) model, strategies for optimizing patient flow, the implementation of quality management systems, and efforts to strengthen patient engagement.
The visit concluded at the proposed site for upcoming interventions, reaffirming Gjakova Hospital’s role as one of the two main partner general hospitals in advancing integrated health services in the region. The visit underscored the value of local leadership and inter-institutional collaboration in achieving the IHS project’s shared goals.