Project Implementation Unit of Rivne Region Reported on Their Activities

World Bank Sub-project Support Consultancy Unit of Rivne Region Reported on Their Activities

The team implementing Sub-project Increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Rivne Region for the period of 2015-2020 reported on the results of their activities. The Consultants debriefing was attended by the reporters of more than ten local and regional mass media, as well as by active dwellers of Rivne, the representatives of Rivne RSA Community Council. The cardiologists involved, the entire Rivne team of the World Bank consultants, the management of Rivne region Health Department were also invited.

“Rivne team was formed not so long ago. Nevertheless, they demonstrated results making us confident that Rivne region sub-project is in the active phase of implementation. All candidates for consultancy positions were selected in accordance with the World Bank rules and procedures. All actions of our team are monitored both by the World Bank and Rivne region Sub-project Management Group. Such control mechanism precludes any abuse”, said Yurii Osipchuk, Head of Health Department of Rivne RSA.

Serhii Rybachok, Management Consultant of the World Bank Sub-project Support Consultancy Unit, elaborated in his report on the results of the consultants’ work over the last year. In particular, documents for procurement of road ambulances, reconstruction of 29 PHC ambulatories, development and implementation of electronic medical system have been prepared, and calls for bids were published. The SSCU also processes the results of procurements covering the building of a specialized website, public opinion polls and an awareness campaign. It was stressed separately that the Rivne team managed to form a group of instructors to train family physicians. As of the beginning of December, 200 doctors Rivne region have already undertaken these trainings.

In addition, Serhii Rybachok said that preparation of documents required to launch bidding for the second phase of reconstruction of PHC ambulatories covering 5 more districts of Rivne region are at the final stage. Moreover, the Sub-project Management Unit managed to save money that will be used to expand the Project. This concept will soon be suggested by the Sub-project management for the World Bank consideration.

“Our Rivne team will approach the World Bank management with a request to open another cardiovascular center in Sarny for Polissia dwellers, although only one in Rivne was originally planned. There is a strong need for this. We will do our best to persuade the Bank to expand the number of activities within the Project and plan to do so using the funding currently allocated. To do this, we need to about two million dollars more and we are already halfway there. A portion of this amount is already a reality, because we managed to save money following the first procurements. The remaining portion is the planned economy. We may already predict that these funds will be saved after the planned activities”, commented Serhii Rybachok, Management Consultant of the World Bank Sub-project Support Consultancy Unit.

During the report, the consultants stressed that they work publicly, mass media are regularly informed about the Project activities and invited to various events: trainings for doctors, bid openings, medical conferences and a press conference recently held in Rivne. News posts about the work of the Project team by almost all mass media of Rivne region are proof of this.

“We decided to answer the request of the Community Council of Rivne RSA and report on what has been done by our team and tell about the plans for the upcoming period. We have prepared detailed information on the activities and demonstrated the complexity of the tasks the consultants have to fulfill. They also answered all the questions asked by the reporters and Community Council members. We are always open to dialog, and if anyone is willing to find out about any project details, you are welcome”, said Serhii Rybachok.

In addition, the Community Council members were invited to come to the consultants’ office to find out more about the work on the Project. An official request will be sent to the World Bank management to allow a member of the Community Council of the RSA to be appointed to the Project Selection Committee.

“We have initiated a round table discussion and invited the consultants of the World Bank, representatives of the regional health department and members of general public to hear the report of the team implementing this health care project funded by the World Bank in the region. We did this in response to negative information about the activities of the consultants spread in the social networks. We wanted to figured things out on our own and make a cold evaluation. Back in 2013, I knew about the project and hoped that the money for health care reform would come into our region. During this round table discussion I learned more about the Project and saw that Rivne region is doing fine in this respect. I would like the general public to know what is being done, because the lack of awareness provokes rumors. We asked all our questions and the consultants reported on their work. I can say that the work on the Project in our region is satisfactory”, said Stanislav Lypskyi, Deputy Chairman of the Community Council of Rivne RSA and the initiator of the round table discussion.

It is to be recalled that Sub-project Increase the effectiveness of treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Rivne Region for the period of 2015-2020 is to be completed over 5 years and will cover the whole Rivne region. It is planned over this period to reconstruct more than a hundred of PHC ambulatories, to purchase 18 road ambulances and modern medical equipment, to build an electronic register and electronic medical records and to upgrade family physicians’ skills (particularly in the best clinics of the world).

Sincerely and always ready to cooperate,

Rivne region World Bank Sub-project Support Consultancy Unit. (If you have any questions about the World Bank Project implementation in Rivne region, please email us at: media.rivnewb@gmail.com or rivnegus@gmail.com.)

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