Low public spending on healthcare in Albania affects not only the quality of service, but also the life expectancy of citizens and the country's economic development. This is the conclusion of a report prepared by international experts on behalf of the American Chamber of Commerce, which warns that the underfunding of the sector is bringing serious consequences to both the health of the population and the economy.
According to the report, thousands of Albanians lose their lives prematurely due to low levels of public investment in the health system. In addition to the human cost, the document estimates that the burden of disease reduces workforce productivity, stifles innovation and causes significant economic losses.
Last year, public spending on healthcare in Albania averaged 330 euros per capita, a level about five times lower than in similar countries in the region and ten times lower than the European Union average.
Experts argue that increasing public funds for drug reimbursement, expanding access to modern therapies, and strengthening screening and early diagnosis programs would bring significant benefits. According to them, if Albania were to approach the funding levels of countries in the region, the economy could generate over 560 million euros of additional output each year.
The report recommends that the government undertake a gradual plan to increase public health financing to 4% of Gross Domestic Product by 2030, from the current 2.9%.
To achieve this objective, an additional €457 million in funding would be needed. Of this amount, €287 million would be used to expand reimbursement of medicines, modern therapies and preventive programs, while the rest would be invested in primary health care, support for medical personnel, infrastructure maintenance and investments in digitalization.
The authors of the report emphasize that this should not be seen as a burden on the budget, but as an investment with a high economic return, as improving the health of the population directly impacts productivity growth and economic development.
Even the World Health Organization estimates that countries that spend less than 3% of their Gross Domestic Product on health are the ones that benefit the most from increased investment in this sector.
However, the report highlights that the Medium-Term Budget Program projections indicate a further reduction in the share of public spending on health in relation to the economy. According to the authors, this approach risks deepening social and economic costs, at a time when increased investment in health is required.
