As many other European countries, the Czech Republic faces the problem of an ageing population and an increased demand for health services for elderly persons. Long-term medical care is still often provided in hospitals and these facilities for the elderly generally have long waiting lists. The quality of the long-term care – including palliative care - varies considerably and home health care is not developed sufficiently. Furthermore, the importance of non-governmental organisations in providing long-term health care is increasing. In general, health-care oriented NGOs still do not have a sufficient financial base to provide their services. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the Czech Health system, a better coordination of health policies is needed.

The overall objective of the Programme is to strenghten primary and secondary health care focussing on the seniors, disadvantaged and terminally ill persons. Specific objectives are
1) strengthening access and quality of ambulatory, institutional and nursing home care for the seniors, handicapped, disadvantaged and terminally ill persons in the geographic focus area;
2) Institutional and professional strengthening of NGOs in the sector of care for long-term ill and terminally ill persons
3) Capacity enhancement in policy and strategy development on the regional and national level.

Primary target groups are seniors, handicapped and long term ill, NGOs employees, the Ministry of Health, health insurance companies, and organizations providing health care.

The Ministry of Health will function as an Intermediate Body for the Programme. It will ensure the launching of open call for proposals, provide consultancy for applicants and select the sub-projects. The Ministry of Health ensures financial flows to the sub-project implementers. It will control and audit the sub-projects implemented within this programme.

Achieved results:  

• Improved availability and quality of care provided for seniors and handicapped citizens, with a strong focus in disadvantaged regions
• Better social inclusion with rehabilitation in the original community of patients, dignified treatment and destigmatization of persons at the end of their life
• Modernized infrastructure in 9 healthcare facilities providing long-term, palliative and geriatric care
• 24 new comprehensive services for the nursing
  home care established
• Consolidation of institutional and professional capacities of NGOs: raised awareness on the care for long-term and dying patients, improved financial basis and established strategic partnerships
• Contribution to the adjustment and improvement of the healthcare regulation framework for the long-term care needs of the population resulting in a comprehensive care programme at the national level for individual rehabilitation of patients

Phase 1 01.07.2011 - 13.06.2017   (Completed)