The project aimed to promote inclusion, accessibility, and non-discrimination of individuals with ASD by improving their access to quality healthcare services. A key objective was to strengthen the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals and medical students, enabling them to provide appropriate and equal care. The project sought to identify gaps and map existing good practices in the provision of healthcare services for individuals with ASD. Based on this, it aimed to develop a structured training programme and practical materials, Handbooks and checklists, to support professionals and family members in addressing patient needs and reducing barriers during healthcare visits. It also aimed to share these resources with stakeholders and policymakers, encouraging improvements at a systemic level. Through training activities, including a Train-the-Trainers approach, and pilot training in four project countries, the project ensured sustainability and wider impact. In addition, an open-access digital toolkit and e-learning platform were developed, providing multilingual and flexible learning resources. Overall, the project aimed to improve professional competencies and support more inclusive healthcare systems.
The HeAlth project directly addressed identified gaps in preventive healthcare for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) individuals, as outlined in the initial proposal. Despite seeking treatment for common conditions, ASD patients often encounter inflexible healthcare systems ill-equipped for their needs, leading to denied or delayed access to routine exams and diagnostics due to providers' insufficient knowledge. Delivered training and tools mitigated this: research confirms ASD individuals overuse emergency services (manageable in primary care), face higher post-visit admissions, and suffer elevated comorbidities (e.g., GI issues, asthma). North Macedonia baseline studies revealed minimal ASD training and absent protocols, causing inconsistent care and stress. Through targeted capacity-building—training 250+ professionals, disseminating guidelines—the project strengthened systems, boosting access, efficiency, and quality. These challenges highlighted the urgent need to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals through targeted training, practical tools, and clear guidelines, in order to improve access, efficiency, and quality of care.