UNFPA’s office in Kosovo marked the International Day of Families on 15 May by providing basic health care services in the capital, Prishtina.
More than 300 citizens of all ages made use of the opportunity to consult family medicine doctors and undergo free medical check-ups in two tents that were set up in Prishtina’s main square.
The purpose of the event was to promote inter-generational solidarity and the family medicine concept, which puts emphasis on the provision of comprehensive primary health care to all members of a family on a continuing basis regardless of age or sex and takes into account the family unit and a life cycle approach.
In Kosovo traditions of mutual support and solidarity among generations remains strong, with grandparents providing daily care for their grandchildren and young people supporting older members of the family.
As part of the event, UNFPA Kosovo distributed 14,000 copies of a brochure on the International Day of Families and the importance of support, care, and intergenerational solidarity through the daily newspaper “KOHA Ditore” radio and television programmes at National TV Station RTK, and round table with stakeholders and key partners.
UNFPA officer in charge together with Director of Health and Social Welfare Directorate of Prishtina municipality and director of Center for Development of Family Medicine were guest on the direct TV show on national TV. Topic of the discussion was the role of family medicine in providing comprehensive health services for the whole family members, as an integrated life cycle approach.
Radio “Vala Rinore” observed activities of the family medicine team while providing services for citizens, and they interviewed doctors, citizens, some stakeholders present and UNFPA staff.
Round table was the closing event of the day. Different stakeholders gave their perspective on the future activities which could improve quality, availability and affordability of health services, taking into account that unemployment rate is very high in Kosovo, and that the poverty is another major problem in our society. It was recommended that International Day of Families should be marked in Kosovo each year, in order to raise awareness of stakeholders, civil society and community for better social integration, better health services with focus on youth friendly health services and support for elderly generation.
