Today in Bari the Phase project steering committee meeting with representatives from Albania and Montenegro

Promoting cooperation between public and private entities through the creation of an international network between Apulia, Albania and Montenegro starting with the telemedicine treatment of heart attacks, neurodegenerative and chronic diseases. The Policlinico di Bari is the leader of the PHASE project (Promoting eHealth in cb Area by Stimulating Local Economies) and today in the meeting room of the Asclepios pavilion the first meeting of the steering committee was held with the participation of representatives of the Clinical Centre of Montenegro, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection (Albania), and the National Centre for Medical Emergencies (Albania).

Cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases, an ageing population and the need to ensure a high quality of life represent a crucial challenge for both the EU and the IPA countries. In this context, PHASE aims at developing the eHealth sector, for the benefit of citizens and MPMIs, through innovative technological tools and procedures, applied in Italy, Albania and Montenegro. This is done not only by improving health services, both public and private, but also by promoting the innovation of companies operating in the field of digital technologies and health services.

PHASE's activities focus on the effective treatment of heart attacks, neurodegenerative and chronic diseases, with the main objectives of: creating an ecosystem of policies, standards, practices and tools; empowering patients and caregivers in the area; stimulating the creation and development of the eHealth sector; promoting cooperation through the creation of an international network; and improving overall health by using ICT to increase self-management of health and disease.

There are three pilot projects through which the PHASE project aims to validate technology platforms and eHealth ecosystem models that will act as competitive tools for many local SMEs providing digital or social care services:

• Pilot 1: Infarct Network: territorial network of structural nodes (control rooms) and equipped ambulances aimed at timely and appropriate clinical interventions in the early stages of heart attacks.
• Pilot 2: Digital platform for the management of integrated care pathways with special reference to the management of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Pilot 3: Remote monitoring of chronic patients.

The project is managed by the Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Consorziale Policlinico Bari (lead partner) together with: Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Ospedali Riuniti di Foggia (IT); Molise Region (IT); Ministria e Shëndetësisë dhe e Mbrojtjes Sociale (AL); Qendra Spitalore Universitare “Nene Tereza” Tirane (AL); Bashkimi i Dhomave të Tregtisë dhe Industrisë së Shqipërisë (AL); Klinički Centar Crne Gore (ME); Ministarstvo zdravlja Crne Gore (ME); Privredna Komora Crne Gore (ME).