Description
The project addresses long-standing unsolved challenges in the field of integration of the Roma population in the health care system. The project will contribute to reduction of inequalities between user groups by increasing awareness of the Roma about the importance of health, improving communication of public workers, inter-institutional cooperation and sustainable funding of Roma coordinator and mobile health services. 5 pilot training programmes will be developed and implemented for 590 participants. A plan for health care in the field will be designed and implemented. It will include at least 200 visits to a healthcare worker. The programmes will be designed for Roma communities, especially for women in SE Slovenia and experts who work with them.
Summary of project results
The project responds to long-standing unsolved challenges in the field of integration of the Roma population in the health care system. An increasing number of Roma in South-East Slovenia region were visiting emergency departments because they had no appointed doctor. School and paediatric clinics registered more visits due to Roma lack of knowledge in the area of prevention and medical care. Only 50% of the Roma children have undergone revaccination and only 70% of them had general and dental health checks. During its implementation the project had good short-term results on selection of the personal doctor/dentist. This will ensure future integration of Roma in the health care system. The objective was to contribute to a reduction of inequalities between user groups. It was reached by increasing awareness of the Roma population about the importance of health, improving communication of public workers, inter-institutional cooperation and supporting sustainable funding of Roma coordinator and mobile health services. Impacts of the project are: increase in attendance in preventive health care programmes and increase of inter-institutional cooperation and collaboration with nongovernmental organizations. Outcomes reached are: awareness raising campaign on a healthy lifestyle for Roma; 5 pilot training programmes; plan for health care in the Roma settlements; proposals for systemic changes in the field of reduction of health inequalities between user groups. Outputs delivered are: 4 educational videos, educational game and promotional materials such as apples and toothbrushes; promotional events such as sport tournament, hikes and picnics; 7 vegetable gardens; 667 participants of the pilot training programmes; 252 field visits to the Roma families; 4 meetings of the Regional Council for the health of Roma. Public workers joined a course on prejudice, good communication, specific of Roma culture and multicultural society. The Roma population was involved with the help of Roma coordinators and Roma NGO project partner Romano Veseli. They learned about health insurance, health beneficial food, health care of preschool children and healthy lifestyle. Achievement of donor partnership: with two study visits an intensive exchange of knowledge in different fields of expertise, a common plan for the establishment of a network of self-help and help for relatives of drug addicts and people with mental health problems was developed.
Summary of bilateral results
Project partners from Slovenia came on a study visit to Norway in May 2015 where they presented their work and project aspirations, got familiar with the field of work of the project partner, situation of Roma people in Norway etc. The Norwegian partner cooperated with the Slovenian partners in implementing this experience in Slovenia. Norway partner representatives visited Slovenia in December 2015 to learn about the situation in Slovenia, to present their experience and establish contact with different stakeholders (municipalities, health care centres, centres for social services and other public institutions, NGOs, groups of family members etc.). The Norway partner worked with Slovenian partners to prepare plans for the establishment of a network of self-help and help for relatives of drug addicts and people with mental health problems. All project partners presented their experience in the project in the final project conference in Ljubljana in April 2016. The project strengthened bilateral relations at the project level through ad hoc exchange and collaboration in the project. Project partnership contributed to good project results since project partners exchanged their knowledge in various professional fields (adult education, local governance, health and support for specific vulnerable groups – Roma and relatives of psychic health patients).