Post-War Kosovo: Part 1. Assessment of Prehospital Emergency Services

Abstract

The United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) designated that the World Health Organization (WHO) develop health policy to assist in the recovery and rehabilitation of the post-war health system of Kosovo. As a critical part of the pre-policy evaluation, an assessment of current prehospital medical services was performed. This assessment identified a basic healthcare infrastructure upon which additional prehospital capabilities can be built, especially in communications, staffing, equipment, and transport services. To serve Kosovo properly in the future, it is recommended that capacity building must include the parallel development of emergency departments and specialty-trained physicians.

Analysis and applicability of the Dutch EMS system into countries developing EMS systems

“…In developing countries, where financial resources are limited, the cost of developing or upgrading an urban EMS system is the difference between having one or none at all. Cost of development and upgrade must be sustainable in the long run and it must be flexible so as to accommodate population changes, likely increasing prehospital care demands, and future rising costs (5,17). The multi-tier, American model of targeted response, although more useful and effective in developed nations, may not be an optimal choice for developing countries.…”

The Role of Telemedicine and Information Technology in the Redevelopment of Medical Systems: The Case of Kosova

“…1 Emergency services for prehospital through rehabilitation were assessed and addressed, although many frustrations were encountered. 3,4 There was an obvious need for electronic information and distance learning because there was no medical library, information system, or facility for training. The rapid training of Kosovar physicians would not tolerate the absence of physicians for training because there were insufficient personnel to cover in their absence.…”

“…The six district hospitals have over 5,000 beds among them 1 with Prishtina University Hospital as the lead tertiary center with excess of 3,000 patients per month, requiring about 150 emergency operations per month. 3 The entire medical staff of the hospital of UCCK is 2,179 and carries a considerable work load.…”

“…The departing Serbian medical personnel left behind very poor-if any-equipment that was often sabotaged and inoperable. 3 Albanian physicians had not worked in a hospital setting in over 10 years. Young physicians received training and education in their homes and small clinics, and had no experience in a hospital setting.…”

“…4 Over 350 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) registered to assist in Kosova and the initial assessment of the medical situation was rather grim. 3 On June 12, 2005, Kosova celebrated 6 years of peace in the Balkans but redevelopment of the medical system remains a work in progress. The role of telemedicine in Kosova seems clear as the agent and catalyst for information, evaluation, coordination, and collaboration.…”