Articles

HPH and SEEHN sign memorandum on collaboration

The International HPH Network and the South Eastern Europe Health Network (SEEHN) signed a historical memorandum of understanding to officialize their partnership for better health gain in the region.

 The memorandum was signed in Zagreb on June 5, 2012, by the SEEHN Presidency (Prof Dr Rajko Ostojic, Minister of Health, Croatia) and the CEO of the International HPH Secretariat. The document had been approved by both organizations in advance - in HPH's case the General Assembly and Governance Board (April, 2012).

The SEEHN and HPH subsequently decided to collaboratively set up a working group to put the memorandum into practical action. The WG will include delegates from each of the two networks and together the group will develop the adjacent action plan for the newly signed memorandum.

During the meeting in Zagreb, Hanne Tønnesen also presented the International HPH Network to the SEEHN. She emphasized that HPH is a strong organization of 870 member hospitals and health services world wide. The collaboration with SEEHN is undertaken to work towards fulfilment of the related WHO/HPH strategic action items of the period.

Hanne Tønnesen also elaborated on the requirements and commitments related both to the membership of hospitals and health services and to the establishment of National HPH Networks - something that will hopefully be developed vastly in the region on basis of the memorandum and the collaboration.

On behalf of the International HPH Network Prof Tonnesen congratulated the SEEHN and its presidency on the formalization of the partnership and on the great prospects of collaborative effort towards better health in hospitals and health services in the SEE and globally.