The service of hemodialysis, which is vital for anyone who needs it, is carried out for the first time even in Vlora. So far, the patients accompanied by their familiars had to travel three times a week to Tirana for the hemodialysis, to follow the sessions at “Mother Teresa” Hospital, which would last up to 4 hours and in three shifts. This service is now provided for Vlora at the regional hospital where the New Centre of Hemodialysis has been established.

The Centre of Hemodialysis was visited by the Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Ilir Beqaj, the mayor of the Municipality of Vlora and some Members of Parliament. The Prime Minister met the patients who meanwhile were under the dialysis process. They called the establishment of the centre as a close-at-hand service. In Tirana, many of them had to receive it during the third shift, due to the high number of demands.

“When we learned that it would be set up here, we were overjoyed and it breathed life into us. We used to be very bad because of travelling, as we had to go three times a week to Fier,” – a patient stated. “After many tortures, we are deeply grateful to the staff that have worked for it to bring it to our house finally, and that did not leave us wandering around from one city to another. Three times per week, for four hours each. I used to have it in the third shift in Tirana and in Durrës,” – another person stated, after having accompanied her husband for two years for the service of the hemodialysis. “I was hospitalized in Tirana, where I would receive even the dialysis. Then I was sent to Fier for 5-6 months. Today, it is the first time for me in Vlora”; “I used to travel from Vlora three times per week. I would travel by car with a member of my family”; “We are very thankful to you for keeping your promise. Thank you very much from the bottom of my heart,” – some other patients’ experiences were.

The establishment of the Centre of Hemodialysis in Vlora was carried out thanks to the successful public-private partnership. The cost of this service, which is provided free for the patients, is lower than the one carried out until yesterday.

“This is the living proof of the truth, – the Prime Minister stated – what is done regularly and routinely around the world today, the Public-Private partnership in the health service, has been criminalized here, as if something extraordinary is being done; actually here the results are. 90 Euro was paid and a miserable service was provided in that kind of system. In this scheme, the state pays just 80 Euro and you receive a service of the European standards, certified as everywhere else. It is very important for all the ones who receive the hemodialysis, to be saved as the ones here in Vlora, in Korça, in Lezha and so on were, pursuant to the contract. This service has to come and this torture has to finish for hundreds and hundreds of families which are having nightmares. In addition, they are compelled to have it often during the third shift.”

The capacities of the Centre of Hemodialysis in Vlora are such that they provide the treatment of the patients, eliminating the third shift.  “The current number of the devices and of the beds we have, – the doctor of the service informed, are sufficient for the patients to be treated in two shifts. The third shifts are not necessary anymore.”

This centre is among the 5 centres that are being set up in the country during this year, which will decrease significantly the expenses of the transport that were paid by the hospital for these patients. According to the minister Beqaj, the patients of the hemodialysis will receive even the medications in place. “It’s a shortening of time for the patient and the familiars. We do not spend anymore for the transport. The hospital used to pay three times per week for each transport and that would be 600-700 euro annually per every patient. With the new reimbursement list, even the distribution of the medications will be done here and it is not necessary anymore for the patients to go to Tirana. It is the first one out of the five points we are going to open this year pursuant to the contract,” – minister Beqaj underscored.

The centre in Vlora is helpful even for all those tourists who need this service, which can be received even during the period of the holidays of the summer session.