Workshop for the health sector modernisation program, global plan for the implementation phase (2004-2007)

A 3 day workshop has been organized in Damascus to prepare the implementation phase (2004-2007) of the Health Sector Modernization Program.

This program is a joint initiative between the European Union and the Syrian government and is funded by the European Union (30 M ). It aims at supporting Syria's efforts to improve the health status of the Syrian population through increased equity, efficiency and quality of the health system.

This implies strengthening the capacity at central and regional levels for policy, planning and regulation, better adapting the health care delivery system to the needs of the population, enhancing management capacity in health care facilities, improving performance of hospitals, instituting quality management and accreditation as well as a framework for sustainable financing of the health sector.

The first one-year-phase took off at the end of 2002. During this phase the Technical Assistance members supported the Ministry of Health to develop the Health Sector Modernization Strategy of SAR. In transition from the first phase to the second phase specific tasks for the following four years are defined for this workshop named "Global plan for the implementation phase (2004-2007)."

The outcome of this workshop will be the common consent on the next steps to be taken for the implementation of the Program in the next four years. More specifically, a Global Plan (2004-2007), an Annual Work Program for 2004 and a Memorandum of Understanding to be signed by the European Union and the Government of Syria will be issued.