DP MP Tritan Shehu has reacted on World Health Day, describing the healthcare system in Albania as dilapidated and without perspective. In a post on social media, Shehu first congratulated all healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, dentists and support staff for their contribution, emphasizing that they continue to serve with dedication in difficult conditions.
However, he raised a number of concerns about the state of the system, describing it as the poorest in Europe, with funding of only 2.9% of Gross Domestic Product. According to him, a significant part of the funds is wasted through public-private partnerships, which he describes as corrupt.
According to the Democratic MP, key services such as oncology and mental health remain far from European standards, while a clear development strategy for the system is lacking.
The democratic MP also emphasizes the need for deep reforms, proposing to increase funding to at least 4.5% of GDP, improve reimbursement schemes, and approach European standards in the management of the health system.
Full reaction
Albania, today on World Health Day with a health system in collapse and without perspective!
First of all, I congratulate all doctors, pharmacists, dentists, nurses, physiotherapists, health laboratory technicians, and all health professionals on this World Health Day!
These are qualified people who, with their work, knowledge, and devotion, are serving patients and citizens in a broken system and:
1-The poorest in Europe, with funding of only 2,9% of GDP.
2-Where a large part of these few funds is swallowed by some corrupt PPPs.
3-With the anti-social in Europe where over 50% of expenses come directly from the "pockets" of citizens.
4-Where patients can die even for the most urgent medical needs, if they don't pay tens of thousands of euros to private hospitals.
5-Where hospitalized patients are forced to perform laboratory tests at private expense and often buy medications and consumables there
6-Where pharmaceuticals are filled with "fake drugs", unsafe medications, without any European certification, and for which reimbursement covers less than 50% of the value, meaning citizens pay over 50% of the value.
7-Where there is a lack of an efficient primary health system, where a PPP "Check ap" consumes large funds.
8-Where there is no transplant, rehabilitation, or reintegration center in the country.
9-Where essential services such as oncology, mental health, etc. are far from European parameters.
10- Where no basic dental services are reimbursed for patients.
And so we would continue with a very long list, but above all...
—-Where there is no strategy, no real development policy, no vision to move towards stimulating concepts such as:
GDP growth of at least 4,5%, Hospital Enterprise, establishment of cost indexes such as the DRG system, Free Professional in primary care, certification of drugs by the EMA, raising reimbursement to at least 80% of the value, etc., etc.
Where there is simply an organizational and managerial "swamp", which is consequently paid for with Life, Health, and Financial Value from citizens!
