Nataša Todorović, Red Cross of Serbia  AgeNet International Conference “Social protection of older people: development, well-being, health”, 9-10 April 2015 Bishkek–Kyrgyzstan

2. Context
 Serbian population is ageing rapidly.
 The percentage of population 65 years and older
was 17,2% (census data 2011) .
 Projected to increase to 21% in 2030.
 How to reform/optimize the health care system
according to this demographic shift?

3. Health of older People
National Health Survey
 40.2% percieve their health as bad or very bad.
 Prevalence of NCD for people 65+ are:
 hypertensia 65.6%,
 hyperlipidemia 22%,
 diabetes 17.8%,
 some form of depression 10.8%,
 chronic respiratory disease 8.4% and asthma 6.8%.

4. Health sector
 The Republic of Serbia has a tradition of a publicly
funded health sector.
 Main legislation regulating health protection
considers people above 65 as the group with a
higher risk of illness.

5. Legislative framework of
Health care system
 Older people generous rights and entitlements covered
by public sector.
 Serbia still does not have Long term care developed.
 Health protection system and social protection system
are not synchronized.
 Access to health services is one of the biggest challenges
to the reform of the health system (rural areas).
 Health inequities are yet another challenge for the health
system.

6. Red Cross of Serbia
 6.200 beneficiaries and around 1.000 volunteers in
54 municipalities
 Health care related services: measuring blood sugar
level and blood pressure, scheduling medical
examinations, organizing transportation to health
centers, as well as assistance in exercising ones
rights regarding health protection.

7. Red Cross of Serbia
 Traditional activity: Visiting Villages
 Identifying older people without medical insurance
and assistance with obtaining it
 Provision of medical drugs to older people in rural
areas
 Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense: Military
physicians visiting rural areas

8. Traditional activity:
Visiting Villages

9. Identifying older people without medical
insurance and assistance with obtaining it

10. Provision of medical drugs to
older people in rural areas

11. Cooperation with the Ministry of Defense:
Military physicians visiting rural areas

12. Red Cross of Serbia
 Advocacy efforts
 Red Cross of Serbia coordinate advocacy CSO network
HumanaS
 We advocate for improved access to health services
(especially in rural areas)
 More investment in preventive activities
 Introducing screening for AD and depression on the GP
level
 Problems of age discrimination and ageism in Health
system