Prishtina, May 8, 2024 – A panel discussion was held in Prizren on the topic “Respecting the right of citizens to health services, with an emphasis on sexual and reproductive health – as a human right”, in cooperation with the NGO “Center for Equality and Justice”.

The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss the Ombudsperson’s report “Rights in sexual and reproductive health”, as well as the level of implementation of the recommendations by the responsible authorities, as well as the findings from the workshop held with pupils and students in Prizren.

The Ombudsperson, Naim Qelaj said that these rights are guaranteed by the Constitution and the laws in force. He said that municipalities have responsibilities and powers to organize primary medical services.

“The implementation of the recommendations, derived from the Law on the Ombudsperson, are of great importance for the improvement of medical services,” said the Ombudsperson Qelaj.

The mayor of the municipality of Suhareka, Bali Muharremaj, and the mayor of the municipality of Dragash, Bexhet Xheladini, emphasized that, despite the lack of human and financial capacities, they are trying to improve medical services and health conditions for their citizens.

Representatives of the health sector from local institutions, both from the municipality of Prizren and the municipality of Mamusha, as well as representatives of civil society organizations also discussed the challenges and achievements.

Among the main challenges continue to remain the capacity building and empowerment of the primary health sector, information and education of citizens about sexual health and establishment the Health Information System (HIS).