The major project on renovation and expansion of the Infectious Diseases Clinic at Tirana’s Mother Teresa University Hospital Centre is nearing completion with around 70% of works already complete.

 The EUR 5.6 million worth project is designed to transform the IDC into a state-of-the-art modern clinic, serving more than 10,000 patients annually.

With a capacity of 118 beds and expanded premises, the Infectious Diseases Clinic is set to transform into a national reference centre of excellence. 

Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu, and the IDC Director Najada Çomo, today inspected the ongoing construction works designed to deliver highest international standards and optimum conditions both for patients and the personnel, ready to response to any public health emergencies.

“The work on rehabilitation of the Infectious Diseases Hospital is nearing completion. Around 70% of the construction work has already completed and the infectious diseases clinic is set to be ready and working by October 15. The hospital will be transformed into a national reference centre of excellence for all the infectious diseases. The hospital’s capacity has increased to 118 beds and the number of laboratories and intensive care units will double,” Health Minister Manastirliu said.

Prime Minister Rama praised progress of rehabilitation work that will create optimum conditions for both patients and the medical personnel. 

“The capacity of intensive care unit has doubled to eight beds from just four previously by making available two new intensive care rooms. The hospital wards and services have been arranged in a way to effectively response to any potential health emergencies. This is the highest standard we can rely on to deliver quality health care service at this specific hospital. Every single room and corner has been arranged and equipped to best fit to the typology of the infectious diseases hospital, as well as to address the students and doctors needs,” Health Minister added.

The hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and equipment and the building will also house halls for lecture sessions for the medicine students.

The project consists of reconstruction and expansion of the existing Infectious Diseases Clinic building. The investment is part of the programme to boost capacities of the health and hospitals system and particularly as a response project devised to enhance hospital services for infectious diseases and the Action Plan 2021-2022 for COVID-19 pandemic response.

After renovation, the clinic will have 16 emergency beds, 8 Intensive Care Units (ICU) and 87 ward beds that improve life-saving medical services to the people in need. All the beds will have access to the medical air and oxygen. In order to minimize the risk of spreading the airborne infections at the hospital, rooms are pressurized, and high-tech air filtration systems will be installed in line with the international standards.