Prishtinë, 18 March 2022 – Given the importance of health data and numerous segments where they can be used and serve, which from human rights perspective are essential and necessary, the roundtable on “Data Gathering and Reporting in Health Sector” was held today in Ombudsperson Institution (OI), which was attended by the Ombudsperson, Mr. Naim Qelaj as well.

The focus of this roundtable was to unveil the inconsistencies in the methodology and standards of data gathering within the health sector and reporting them to Kosovo Agency of Statistics. During the discussions, key issues on data gathering and reporting chain were highlighted, the necessity of clarifying institutional roles regarding the responsibilities in this regard as well as the need for collaborative work and coordination in order to have timely complete, accurate and credible data.

Representatives from responsible institutions of the Health Sector: Ministry of Health, University Clinical Center, National Institute of Public Health, Institute of Forensic Medicine, Non-Governmental Organizations (AMC, CDF), representatives from United Nations Agencies, Offices in Kosovo (OHCHR, WHO, UNFPA, UNICEF), jointly with representatives from KAS and OI, discussed on professional and technical terms about the identified problems.

The entire discussions but conclusions and recommendations exposed by participants as well, will have due attention during Ex Officio investigation that the Ombudsperson will conduct with regard to data in the health sector – the importance of accuracy, comprehensiveness and the reliability that they have, aiming to scan the situation, responsibilities, as well as to address the recommendations in order to find solutions in accordance with the best standards, pursuant to Sustainable Development Goals and core commitment of 2030 Agenda – to leave no one behind.

The roundtable was initiated by the Working Group for the operationalization of the Memorandum of Understanding between the OI and the Kosovo Agency of Statistics, aiming to support implementation and measurement of human rights and the 2030 Agenda.[1]

This activity will be followed by several roundtables on specific topics and gathering and reporting of data related to this issue in order to fulfill OI role, as a bridge between rights holders and the state, with regard to designing and monitoring of policies as well as strategies and actions.

Agenda 2030 has become mandatory for the country, since the Resolution on Sustainable Development Goals has been adopted by the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo in 2018. This Agenda presents a global level action plan, in line with which states have expressed commitment and strive to be partners to meet 17 goals, with 169 specific targets, to which correspond 231 indicators. This document at its essence, as key pillars of the universal vision it carries out, places: population, prosperity, planet, peace and partnership (known as the five Ps), on which the real development, therefore sustainable, is based. (moreover SDG Indicators – SDG Indicators (un.org).