Pasvalys representatives visited Drangedal commune

May 31 – June 4 2015 the representatives of Pasvalys municipality administration and Pasvalys primary health care center visited the Drangedal commune while implementing activity "Partner search – visit to Drangedal commune, Norway” financed by the Bilateral Cooperation Fund under the Programme LT11 “Public Health Initiatives” of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009–2014. The aim of the study-visit was to search Norwegian partners having experience in providing youth-friendly health care services (hereinafter – YFHCS). Pasvalys district municipality intends to submit project application under the measure “Improving the accessibility and quality of youth health care services in municipalities by implementing the model for provision of youth–friendly health care services”. First contacts with potential Project partner – Drangedal commune were established via telephone calls and e-mails.

Pasvalys delegation consisted of a Deputy director of Pasvalys district municipality administration Paulius Petkevičius, Chief specialist of the Social assistance and health division (Municipal Doctor) Dalia Vasiliūnienė, Chief specialist of the Investment and asset management division (responsible for relations with foreign countries) Viktorija Gaspariūnaitė and representatives of Pasvalys primary health care center: Chief Doctor Vilius Povilionis, Chief Nursing administrator Irena Trinskienė and Chief Financial Officer Regina Keršienė.

Drangedal commune have an experience in the provision of YFHCS. It was valuable to be acquainted with the provision of YFHCS in Drangedal commune before submitting Project application for implementation of YFHCS model in Pasvalys district municipality. During the study-visit the representatives met with Drangedal politicians and municipality representatives which are responsible for health care, also visited the institutions providing health care services with particular reference to the services organization for youth. Furthermore, cooperation possibilities while implementing the YFHCS model in Pasvalys municipality were discussed, best practices examples and experience were exchanged.

Pasvalys representatives met with the Mayor of the Drangedal commune Kariane M. Reiten, Chief Executive Officer of Drangedal commune Jorn Knutsen, Commune Council member Marit Kolloen, Commune health and welfare department and Child welfare Office employees. Representatives of Drangedal commune presented the main legal acts, governing health and public health care, activities of Child welfare Office, introduced with commune Health and Welfare Division structure, health care and social services providers.

During the meetings discussions about children and youth health care issues, health care problems were held, best practices examples were shared.

Pasvalys representatives visited Drangedal health center, youth club, social enterprise whose employees are people with various physical or mental health problems. The workplace for these employees arranged in accordance with human abilities.

Community homes adapted for the people with multi-disabilities. Here comes youth (from 18 years) with developmental disorders or dependencies. Community homes combine several institutions – Mental health center, Addictions center, Primary health care centers, Child welfare Office. The common activities are implemented in joint projects, services are provided in cooperation.

Representatives of Pasvalys visited Borgestad clinic (Skien) which specialists presented the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Programme. In this clinic pregnant women with addiction to drugs are forcibly treated.

Furthermore, representatives of Pasvalys visited Amatea organization in Skien. Here study-visit participants learned about Amatea Programme dedicated for youth sexual education. While implementing thus Programme the anonymity is ensured. Young people having questions related to sexual and reproductive health issues and etc. may apply to specialists. This operating system in Norway provides support at any time of the day.

While communicating with health care specialists, the main attention was paid to the organization of provision of services for young people, to the preventive measures, employment and inter-institutional cooperation. During the meeting further cooperation between health and social protection specialists while implementing the Project “Improving the accessibility and quality of youth health care services in municipalities by implementing the model for provision of youth–friendly health care services” was discussed.

Pasvalys delegation met with Honorary Consul of Lithuania Dr. Carl Tom Carlsten in Telemark County. Honorary Consul was glad that bilateral relations with Lithuania are being developed and joint projects are going to be implemented. He handed certificate of honor to Drangedal commune for cooperation and development of relations with Lithuania and Pasvalys district municipality.

Bilateral activity was financed by the Bilateral Cooperation Fund under the Programme No LT11 “Public Health Initiatives” of the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2009-2014.

Information was prepared by Dalia Vasiliūnienė Chief specialist of the Social assistance and health division (Municipal Doctor) of Pasvalys district municipality administration