REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA: аssessment of the sustainability of the opioid agonist therapy programme in the context of transition from donor support to domestic funding
- 29.03.2023 09:51
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The opioid agonist therapy (OAT) programme has been implemented in the Republic of Albania since 2005. From 2007 until now, support has been provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Republic of Albania is still committed to allowing free access to the OAT programme at facilities run by the NGO, Aksion Plus, at various sites around the country through Global Fund support. As of September 2022, nine OAT sites were functioning in nine different cities of the country, providing services to 888 clients. In addition, 126 clients receive OAT in 16 prisons (1,014 OAT clients altogether) . The OAT programme is fully financed by the Global Fund and, hence, is the main and only source of funding through the Programme Implementation Unit (PIU) of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection.
It is expected that support from the Global Fund will end in 2024 and the OAT programme should fully transition to State funding by that time.
Under these circumstances, it is crucial to assess the sustainability of the OAT programme in the context of transition from the Global Fund support to national funding; and to identify the strength, the weaknesses, barriers, challenges, risks and opportunities to enhance the sustainability of the OAT programme. This assessment was conducted during August-December 2022 using the OAT sustainability framework concept and methodology developed by the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA).
The following provides a summary of progress towards ensuring the sustainability of the OAT programme in Albania by the three thematic areas reviewed in the course of this assessment.

Based on this assessment, the recommendations have been developed to enhance the sustainability of the OAT programme in Albania.
You may access the report on the assessment of OAT sustainability in Republic of Albania in English and Albanian by following the links:
Services for migrants and refugees from Ukraine – HIV/TB care with a focus on key populations
Due to the increasing flows of refugees from Ukraine because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EECA Regional Platform created a spreadsheet to fill contacts details of face-to-face and online services for refugees and migrants (with a focus on HIV/TB care and key population groups).
If you provide such services or know verified providers, please fill out the spreadsheet at your earliest convenience, and, please, update it as more verified information is available. These can be services for national citizens if they are also accessible to international migrants and refugees.
Regional Platform – EECA
This web-resource is a part of new regional communication and coordination project “Regional Civil Society and Community Support, Coordination and Communication Platform - EECA”, implemented by Eurasian Harm Reduction Association (EHRA).
See also
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HARM REDUCTION MESSAGES FOR THE 49TH GLOBAL FUND BOARD MEETING 10.05.2023 11:25