Statement by the Health Minister Ilir Beqaj, following the meeting of the Council of Ministers:

The government approved today a significant funding to enhance and modernize the health system, with focus on hospital care.

Some 32 million Euros will become effective starting from mid year.

We are committed to open the health site, and this funding will be an illustration of the concretization of our commitments.

The funding will support the enhancement of the hospital network, mostly at a regional level, in order to improve infrastructure, expand treatment and diagnostic capacities and the use of electronic health. This is because we are convinced that our main goal, which is and remains universal coverage, is attainable if coupled with universal access.

In addition to a funding of 17 million Euros which has already been approved to strengthen the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”; 5 million Euros for the University Hospital of Trauma, 10 million Swiss francs to support the initiative “Health for All”, we have a substantial portfolio which will significantly transform the health care system in the country.

Thank you!