WPRO 2017 DPM 005 Eng
WPRO 2017 DPM 005 Eng
WPRO 2017 DPM 005 Eng
Photo credits
Cover: ©WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
Inside pages: ©WHO/Yoshi Shimizu
CONTENTS
Foreword ................................................................................................................. v
Executive summary................................................................................................ vii
1. Introduction........................................................................................................... 1
2. Development and health situation...................................................................... 2
3. Mongolia’s vision for sustainable development................................................. 6
4. The strategic agenda for WHO support to Mongolia.......................................... 8
Strategic priority 1. Building resilient health systems to advance
universal health coverage................................................................................. 9
Strategic priority 2. Strengthening the integrated, people-centred
delivery of priority public health programmes............................................... 11
Strategic priority 3. Promoting health and healthy environments
for all Mongolians through multisectoral engagement and Health
in All Policies................................................................................................... 13
5. Implementing the strategic agenda.................................................................. 14
Bibliography............................................................................................................ 17
Annex. Core health indicators............................................................................... 16
FOREWORD
The Ministry of Health of Mongolia and the World Health Organization (WHO) are
pleased to present the Mongolia–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2017–2021.
The strategy supports work towards achievement of the goals of the Mongolia
Sustainable Development Vision 2030 and the State Policy on Health (2017–2026),
and aim at reducing the prevalence of hepatitis and tuberculosis, and the risk of
noncommunicable diseases.
Mongolia has made significant achievements in improving the health of its citizens in
recent years. Deaths among infants and children have been reduced; the country has
maintained its polio-free status; and endemic transmission of measles and tetanus has
been eliminated.
However, Mongolia faces a range of stubborn health challenges, including illnesses
and liver cancer caused by chronic hepatitis, and a rising burden of noncommunicable
diseases. Growing urbanization brings new challenges, such as air pollution and access
to safe drinking-water and sanitation for communities on the outskirts of Ulaanbaatar.
To address these issues and support Mongolia’s progress towards universal health
coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals, it is important to strengthen the
health system and to improve the efficiency of major health programmes. To this end,
cross-sectoral collaboration is vital.
The Ministry of Health and WHO will focus on three strategic priorities for
collaboration over the next five years: 1) building resilient health systems
to advance UHC; 2) strengthening the integrated, people-centred delivery
of priority public health programmes; and 3) promoting health and healthy
environments for all Mongolians through multisectoral engagement and health
in all policies.
Through this country cooperation strategy, WHO will continue to provide sound and
evidence-based technical and policy advice to the Government. At the same time, WHO
will focus on supporting strengthened partnerships for health and enhancing the use of
information technology for health in Mongolia.
Building on a long-standing and trusting partnership, the Ministry of Health and WHO will
work together closely in the coming five years to implement this strategy. Together, our
work will contribute to improving the health and well-being of the more than 3 million
Mongolian people and countless others across the Western Pacific Region.
This Mongolia–WHO Country Cooperation Strategy 2017–2021 sets out the medium-term
vision for the joint work of the Ministry of Health and WHO over the next five years.
The Strategy will support work towards the MSDV and is aligned with the State Policy
on Health (2017–2026). The Strategy also supports the objectives of the United Nations
Development Assistance Framework 2017–2021 for Mongolia.
Guided by this country cooperation strategy (CCS), the Ministry of Health and
WHO will work together to support implementation of the State Policy on Health
(2017–2026) through three strategic priorities:
• Priority 1. Building resilient health systems to advance universal health
coverage (UHC),
vii
To implement this Strategy, WHO will support Mongolia to implement an integrated
whole-of-system approach to health system strengthening. The Organization will
continue its role as a neutral broker of evidence-based technical and policy advice,
while strengthening partnerships and multisectoral collaboration, and improving
health literacy and strategic communications.
Annual review of this Strategy and a final review in 2021 will be used to evaluate
progress towards the strategic priorities, UHC and the SDGs and to inform the next
CCS cycle.
viii
2. HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SITUATION
1. Introduction
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
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2. HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT SITUATION
However, Mongolia continues to have the world’s highest rates of illnesses and of
death due to liver cancer, with over 95% of liver cancer cases associated with hepatitis
B and C infection. Treatment costs for hepatitis C were included in the national budget
in 2015. There is limited capacity in Mongolia to detect communicable diseases
and monitor treatment at the primary healthcare level, which results in delays in
accessing health care, treatment failure and a high number of patients who do not
receive follow-up care.
Ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, liver cancer and injuries are
among the top causes of premature death in the country. People are also living longer
with chronic illness and the effects of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as
diabetes, stroke and heart disease. Among countries in the Western Pacific Region,
Mongolia has the seventh-highest burden of NCDs – and the toll is increasing. At the
same time there are limited domestic funds available for NCD programmes. The WHO
Protocol to Eliminate Illicit Trade in Tobacco Products was ratified in 2014. Smoking in
public places is prohibited, and there are graphic health warnings on cigarette packs.
However, the tobacco excise tax is three times lower than WHO recommendations.
Mongolia has faced emerging diseases, environmental events such as toxic chemical
hazards, dzud (summer droughts followed by severe winters) and flooding. Surveillance
and emergency response coordination systems – including regional emergency
operations centres and a laboratory network in aimags (administrative districts)
near national borders – have been established in line with the Asia Pacific Strategy for
Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III). Within these systems,
graduates of the Field Epidemiology Training Programme (FETP) play a leading role in
field exercises, hands-on training, risk assessments and outbreak response reviews.
Air pollution in Ulaanbaatar is among the highest in the world. Water, sanitation and
hygiene are a key part of Mongolia’s unfinished MDG agenda. Key challenges are soil
contamination, and poor management of wastewater treatment and disposal, and
improper open-pit latrines in ger areas. Many health-care facilities are not connected
to central water supplies and sewer systems. Many still use open-pit latrines.
There is no surveillance system for antimicrobial resistance, and antibiotics can be
purchased over the counter, leading to concerns of irrational use. The management
of medicines also must be improved to ensure correct pricing and availability of
essential drugs, particularly in rural areas.
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
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2. DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH SITUATION
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
The Mongolia Sustainable Development Vision 2030 (MSDV) aspires for Mongolia by
2030 to be among the leading middle-income countries based on per capita income,
with a diverse economy, ecological balance and democratic governance. The MSDV
focuses on 10 goals including an end to poverty in all its forms, an improved living
environment and an increase in life expectancy at birth to 78 years. These policies
support Mongolia’s progress towards achieving the global SDGs. The United Nations
Development Assistance Framework 2017–2021 for Mongolia in turn supports work
towards the MSDV. The MSDV is structured in three phases: 2016–2020, 2021–2025
and 2026–2030.
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3. MONGOLIA’S VISION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
This strategic agenda was developed through a process of internal and external
consultation among WHO, the Ministry of Health and other health partners in
Mongolia.
Together, WHO and the Ministry of Health commit to work towards a common goal: to
achieve the highest attainable standard of health and quality of life for all Mongolians.
The three strategic priorities and corresponding focus areas outlined below will
support work towards this goal over the next five years by strengthening Mongolia’s
health system, health programmes and multisectoral support for health. These
priorities will further support implementation of the State Policy on Health (2017–2026).
The Ministry of Health and WHO will work together on three strategic priorities,
explained in more detail below:
Priority 1. Building resilient health systems to advance universal
health coverage
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4. THE STRATEGIC AGENDA FOR WHO SUPPORT TO MONGOLIA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 1
Building resilient health systems to advance universal health coverage
WHO will work with Mongolia to strengthen the health system at all levels towards
the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC) and to enhance health security.
This will include improving access to essential medicines, addressing antimicrobial
resistance, and sustaining and advancing capacities to manage health security threats.
Focus Area 1.1. Further strengthen health policies, financing and information
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to strengthen health systems with a focus on leaving no one behind;
Focus Area 1.2. Improve access to essential medicines and address antimicrobial
resistance
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to strengthen mechanisms to regulate and monitor medicine quality and
safety, including pharmacovigilance, and ensure equitable access to affordable
medicines;
• to implement regulation on prescription policy and advocacy for rational drug use.
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
Focus Area 1.3. Sustain and advance capacities to manage health security threats
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to implement and monitor the national Plan for Emerging Infectious Diseases
and Public Health Emergencies, taking into consideration the recommended
priority actions from the Joint External Evaluation, as guided by the Asia Pacific
Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III);
• to monitor and evaluate all stages of the planning and implementation cycle
to measure system functionality.
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4. THE STRATEGIC AGENDA FOR WHO SUPPORT TO MONGOLIA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 2
Strengthening the integrated, people-centred delivery of priority public health
programmes
WHO and the Ministry of Health will focus on strengthening people-centred
interventions, enabling a supportive policy framework, and improving access and
the quality of services. The focus will be on priority programmes to prevent and
control communicable diseases and NCDs, including increasing access to mental
health services, and to improve the quality of care for mothers, newborn babies,
children and adolescents.
Focus Area 2.1. Prevent and control communicable and noncommunicable diseases
including priority mental health disorders
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to develop, revise and implement national policies for major NCDs, including
hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, injuries and cancer, and for
communicable diseases, including viral hepatitis, tuberculosis (TB), sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) and vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs), as well
as the use of innovative technologies, as appropriate, to improve the health of
underserved and disadvantaged population groups;
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
Focus Area 2.2. Quality care for mothers, newborns, children and adolescents
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to foster implementation of the integrated national programme on maternal,
child and reproductive health by promoting and sustaining effective public
health interventions and best practices;
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4. THE STRATEGIC AGENDA FOR WHO SUPPORT TO MONGOLIA
STRATEGIC PRIORITY 3
Promoting health and healthy environments for all Mongolians through multisectoral
engagement and Health in All Policies
The determinants of health often reside outside the health sector. To ensure good
health and well-being for all Mongolians, WHO supports health sector leadership
and the promotion of multisectoral collaboration and partnerships to advance health.
Over the next five years, WHO will support the Government:
• to promote Health in All Policies through multisectoral coordination,
collaboration and partnership.
• to promote the expansion of the Healthy Cities movement and the acceleration
of implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in
partnership with nongovernmental and civil society organizations;
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
People with higher levels of health literacy are more likely to adopt healthier behaviours
and to receive and act on health information and services. Increasing the level of
health literacy among Mongolians is vital to enable individuals to protect themselves,
their families and their communities. Communications will target decision-makers,
as well as the general public. Communications will also foster increased visibility
of WHO health messages and adaptation of technical recommendations within local
contexts.
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5. IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGIC AGENDA
Leveraging WHO’s global, regional and country resources, this CCS will use integrated
approaches to strengthen health system resilience. WHO support to Mongolia for
UHC will focus on ensuring key health system attributes of quality, efficiency, equity,
accountability and resilience. The focus will be on ensuring WHO support to Mongolia
is sustainable and focused on long-term solutions, with the principle of leaving no
one behind.
Technical cooperation between WHO and the Government will focus on strengthening
good governance in the health sector. This will include supporting the effective use of
evidence for decision-making, strengthening individual and institutional capacity, and
providing technical assistance. WHO programmes will be delivered through national
frameworks, with regional and global tools adapted to the national context. WHO
will support strengthening of disease surveillance using surveys, web-based tools
and reporting systems, and establishing a nationwide system to link intersectoral
databases.
Continuing professional development for WHO country office staff and Ministry of
Health colleagues will continue to ensure that staff have the required skills and
competencies to address and respond to health issues.
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MONGOLIA–WHO COUNTRY COOPERATION STRATEGY 2017–2021
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
Center for Health Development (2017). Health indicators, 2016. Ulaanbaatar: Ministry
of Health.
Government of Mongolia (2015). The National Programme for Community Participatory
Disaster Risk Reduction. Ulaanbaatar: Government of Mongolia.
Government of Mongolia. United Nations Development Programme (2016). United
Nations development assistance framework 2017–2021. Ulaanbaatar.
Convention Secretariat of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control
(2015). Needs assessment for implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control in Mongolia. Ulaanbaatar: Convention Secretariat of the WHO
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.
Government of Mongolia, United Nations Development Programme (2016). Mongolia
human development report 2016. Ulaanbaatar: United Nations Development
Programme.
Khurelbat D, Dorj G, Bayarsaikhan E, Chimedsuren M, Sanjjav T, Morimoto T, et al.
(2014). Prevalence estimates of substandard drugs in Mongolia using a random
sample survey. Springer Plus. 3:709 (http://www.springerplus.com/content/3/1/709,
accessed 1 September 2017).
Ministry of Health (2017). State policy on health (2017–2026). Ulaanbaatar.
Ministry of Health, Global Fund, WHO (2016). National TB prevalence survey,
2014–2015. <<Location: Publisher>>.
Ministry of Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences (2013).
Quality and safety of medical care and services. Volume 3. Ulaanbaatar: Ministry of
Health, Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences.
Ministry of Health, National Center for Public Health (2012). Report of the WASH
assessment in health-care facilities. Ulaanbaatar: Ministry of Health.
Ministry of Health and Sports, WHO, Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Health
Project (2013). Third national STEPS survey on the prevalence of noncommunicable
disease and injury risk factors – 2013. Ulaanbaatar.
National Center for Occupational Health and Research (2015). Annual report of the
compensated occupational diseases and injuries. Ulaanbaatar: National Center for
Occupational Health and Research.
National Statistical Office of Mongolia, United Nations Development Programme,
United Nations Children’s Fund (2014). Mongolia – social indicator sample survey
2013. Ulaanbaatar.
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