The strategic plan of the Ministry of Health represents a key medium-term development plan and includes all aspects of work organization. The entire process of preparing the document, starting from coordination to the implementation of the strategic plan and the annual work plan, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, is in accordance with the methodology for strategic planning and preparation of the Government’s Annual Work Program of the Republic of Macedonia (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 124/08 and 58/18); Guidelines for the procedures of ministries and other state administration bodies in the process of preparing the Strategic Plan and Annual Work Plan (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 131/18); Guidelines for the procedures of ministries and other state administration bodies in the process of monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the implementation of the strategic plan and annual work plan (Official Gazette of the Republic of Macedonia No. 131/18).
The uniformity in the preparation of the plans, as well as the established criteria for implementing the entire process in such a detailed manner, ensures greater efficiency and effectiveness in the implementation of the plan, as well as in the evaluation of achieved results and reporting on the objectives reached.
The strategic priorities and goals of the Ministry of Health are in line with the strategic priorities and goals in the health sector according to the established long-term health strategies, but at the same time, they are in line with the priorities and goals of the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, which are determined by the Decision on the establishment of strategic priorities published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of North Macedonia.
The realistically prepared plan and its implementation create excellent opportunities for improving the quality of the overall process, starting from the creation of policies to the monitoring of achievements at the level of priorities and goals. Through the annual work plan (a document derived from the strategic plan in which activities are detailed, aiming to complete a composition that supports the realization of the defined program), the dynamics of implementing measures and activities is ensured, and their monitoring as well as the realistic evaluation of implementation at all levels (measure, subprogram, program) is achieved. The possibility of conducting measurements, analyses, and result comparisons provides a clear picture of “where we are” in terms of the desired and achieved goals. Also, the clear insight during the implementation of activities and measures ensures the early recognition of potential risks, warnings in cases when indicators do not provide the required parameters. This ensures timely redefinition of measurable indicators and program activities, timely reallocation of financial resources, and a work performance that is economical, efficient, accountable, and transparent, in order to achieve the set goals and priorities.