The brand new maternity hospital in the city of Berat became fully operational as it opened the doors to the young mothers to deliver their babies in optimum conditions, guaranteeing high gynaecology, obstetrics and neonatal care standards.

The new 50-bed maternity facility with three operating rooms and equipped with state-of-the-art technology equipments completes reconstruction of the hospital complex in the south-western city of Berat. From a degraded facility built in 1976, totally non-functional and a symbol of oblivion for decades, the maternity ward, which was last reconstructed 18 years ago, has now been transformed into an example of European standards.

The new maternity hospital was the next stop of the Prime Minister Edi Rama as part of his visit to Berat. The government head Rama and the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu, visited the modern hospital wards accompanied by doctors and nurses, who from now on will have the opportunity to practice their profession working in an environment meeting high quality conditions.

Health Minister Manastirliu said that the maternity hospital in Berat was built under a state budget funding of 2.5 million euros.  “It is a 2.5 million euro worth state budget-funded investment and the facility has a capacity of 50 beds. This investment project, among other things, was implemented during the difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments were not suspended or halted by the pandemic. This is the fourth maternity hospital already built under the mother and child care programme in the last four years. In addition to the infrastructure investment, the operating room equipment, the medical devices and the hospital furniture are all brand new ones,” Health Minister said.

In a conversation with the medical staff, PM Rama underlined that increasing the medical workers salaries in June is the next pledge and the government is committed to deliver on its pledge, despite the difficult situation in the wake of the international crisis. “Further increase in doctors and nurses wages is the next step we will take in June, as we have already pledged, despite the difficulties we are now encountering because of the global crisis. However, the government is committed to deliver on its pledge and approve a further salary hike for doctors, nurses, teachers and servicemen,” the Premier said.