TIRANA, July 21 – A health project worth nearly 10 million euros funded by Switzerland was launched Tuesday in Diber County’s town of Peshkopia.
“Today we begin a new cooperation to strengthen the health system in Albania. There is no doubt that health services in Albania in general deserve further improvements in terms of quality”, said Swiss Ambassador Christoph Graf. “The project will enhance professional capacities of health employees, introduce models of decentralized health services and promote health awareness among citizens. I look forward to seeing improved services, better primary health facilities, and healthier citizens, when this project ends.”
Health Minister Ilir Beqja said the government has prioritized the improvement and restructuring of the primary health system and the joint project with the Swiss Embassy comes at the right time.
“We are committed to radically reform primary health services,” he said. “We are doing this first through the free Basic Medical Check-Up program but also through other interventions to relieve doctors as much as possible from the bureaucratic process and to provide them with more opportunity to conduct medicine and to be closer to their population”.
The 10 million euros will be spent in the next four years to improve primary health care, enhance professional capacities of health employees, introduce models of decentralized health services, promote health awareness among citizens and address corruption in the health sector.
The funding is focused in the districts of Dibër and Fier aiming to make primary health care more affordable and efficient, especially for marginalized groups.
Switzerland had also funded the same kind of project before. Depending on the results of the new project it will aim to replicate best practices elsewhere in Albania.
Switzerland is one of the important donors assisting the health system in Albania.
