Kosova Calling

After years of turmoil including the breakup of Yugoslavia and the NATO intervention in 1999, the NEWBORN sculpture in Prishtina marks the declaration of independence of the Republic of Kosovo just three years ago in 2008. Today, Kosovo is Europe’s youngest state and remains a country in transition. It is exemplary for the huge disparities that still persist in the European region as - contrary to the greying of populations in most of Europe - Kosovo has a very young population and has had consistently high birth rates over the last years. Along with the demography, also epidemiological patterns differ profoundly with infectious disease control as well as maternal and child health still being top priority. Poverty, particularly in rural areas, complements the picture in terms of public health.

As a 3^rd year bachelor student of European Public Health, it is precisely this peculiar setting which made me curious. I’m very grateful for the opportunity of enjoying a 4-month stay between February and June. My internship at the National Institute of Public Health in Prishtina involves the supervision and quality control of a UNFPA funded research project on elderly people in Kosovo. I’m glad to contribute to this pioneer project as the specific needs of elderly people have largely been neglected in health research and policy here so far. Besides work, I’ve had the time to travel around the region and see the major cities and attractions in Kosovo as well as going on a weekend trip to Belgrade. My plan for the coming two months is to further enjoy springtime in the Balkans and visit some more cities with Skopje, Tirana and Sarajevo being top on my list.

Christoph Schwarz (4 2011)