The patronage system of regional hospitals and physicians’ bonus programme has extended effects to Kukes hospital as well. The city’s inhabitants do not need any more to commute to Tirana to obtain specialized medical service as Kuke Regional Hospital is being under patronage of the University Hospital Centre “Shefqet Ndroqi” since a month. The patronage is undertaken on a weekly rota basis on Neurologic, Endocrinology and Rheumatology services. Prime Minister Edi Rama accompanied by Minister of Health, Ogerta Manastirliu visited the northern city’s hospital to closely inspect the functioning of patronage system which is expected to go on for around a year when the first 300 specialty medical interns will graduate and hence fill the gaps in the entire system.
“Patronage system is one of the most novel programmes within the healthcare service to strengthen regional and municipal hospitals. Tirana’s University Medical Centre physicians are accomplishing the patronage in these hospitals. Practically several hospitals such as Kukes, Diber, Korce, Gjirokaster, Vlore, Fier and Berati are under patronage. There is even Burrel municipal hospital where interventions are undertaken in wards it was not intervened before,” Minister Manastirliu said.
“There is indeed much work to do. It is simpler to the citizens that we are present and we provide the service in a swifter time rather than coming to Tirana,” the rheumatologist said.
“I suffer from leg joints, stroke and kidneys from a year. Now I can take services here since the service is offered,” one of the patients said.
“Tirana will come to you now and Tirana will go to all hospitals needing specialty physicians as we have to perform this until January 2019. Afterwards full time specialty physicians will be present,” Prime Minister Edi Rama stated.
Patronage programme performs both consultations and check-ups and also surgery interventions. Over one thousand patients have benefited from this programme on special medical care close to their dwellings in Diber, Kukes, Fier, Korce, Gjirokaster, Burrel and Vlore, by Tirana’s University Hospital Center physicians, only during January.
Beside patronage the government is implementing the bonus programme of a 250 thousand new ALL for any physician working far from their residence. This initiative is already a reality to Kukes hospital.
“It is implemented in Kukes hospital for the first time through the bonus program, amid the new bonus amount we approved in the government with 250 thousand new ALL, a dedicated surgeon in Kukes hospital who will cover all the surgery and will stay 24 / 7 on call for all the surgical problems that Kukes residents may have, but also Has and Tropoja, to perform all surgical interventions in this hospital,” Minister Ogert Manastirliu said.
“We just performed an intervention and it was successful. I came in the frame of the appeal Health Minister did. It is a human duty and as a physician I have to respond by all means,” Doctor Novruz Bare said.
“It was actually the only way. We have already reiterated from the start that to all cases specialty physicians such as your level of expertise will accept and shift to other hospitals where specialty physicians lack, we will provide bonus payment to match the salary they take first day they move to Germany and Italy, if lucky enough to fetch a job. Meanwhile, even patronage is working, because the inflow of people to Tirana is reducing as services will be obtained at regional hospitals. January 2019 will ultimately see new medical specialists who will fill the need across the territory. Afterwards, another important phase will be undertaken to healthcare services transition,” Prime Minister Edi Rama said.
“The arrival of the new surgeon, bonus-based, we expect the number of interventions to increase in the hospital to over 30%. We hope this cooperation will even continue in the future so that all regional hospitals receive the appropriate service and patients do not have to go to other tertiary hospitals,” Kukes hospital director said.
Prime Minister Edi Rama along with Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu planted a tree at Kukes hospital yard in order to emphasize the importance adding green areas have at hospital premises.
***
The new water supply system in Orgjost, Kukes has finally solved the problem of water supply to nearly 1 thousand inhabitants of this village. Prior to the construction of this water system, they were supplied from a unique source located in the center of the village, from where they transported water to their homes. Prime Minister Edi Rama visited Orgjost to inspect this investment carried out according to cutting edge standards, including the establishment of water meters. Kukes Mayor Bashkim Shehu informed the Prime Minister that the water situation is now heading towards improvement.
“Management is working well. We have 80% from 30%. It is honestly a good scheme. We do not have this quality, these works done in the city. All citizens are aware of it. While the work performed here is serious,” mayor Shehu said.
Albanian Development Fund (ADF) director, Benet Beci said that there are 7 similar schemes in the region all financed by the Fund and the government.
“They come with the best quality, water meters and the best materials. They are cost-effective and payment rate possibility. Training to manage water supply maintenance is part of the program. As a result they have operated well so far,” Beci said.
While PM Rama thanked the inhabitants first and foremost as well as the main contributors to the water supply system management.
“It is the inhabitants we have to thank as if we talk about economic hardship this region is of a highlighted economic difficulty, and yet the most meaningful example of not a poor, rich case. It is a matter of each paying what is consumed, so that by joint contribution the company gradually strengthens, continue to invest and continue to increase the quality of water supply so that no one lives others back. Unfortunately, those who complain the most are not the poorest or the most honest, but those who want to talk and complain that have either lived by providing water supply illegally or then get to Facebook and engage in the fight against poverty without having any relevance,” Prime Minister said.
On the other side, the Premier said that this region’s natural beauties must be exploited to turn them into a tourist attraction which would also impact well-being boost to local inhabitants.
“We should provide impetus to the agro-tourism programme. It will give ample opportunity and it will give a hand to the people, because there are, indeed, gems here that can be made accessible only by creating attractive venues to people who do not just come to see but who can stay, sleep, taste this small farm’s products and enjoy this nature’s miracle. So, in this regard, we have to work a little harder and we should turn to investors and entrepreneurs from the region,” Prime Minister Edi Rama further stated.
