The Albanian team of 30 doctors, nurses and physician specialists in pulmonology, intensive care and anaesthesia services departed for Italy today afternoon to assist their Italian colleagues as they struggle to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic that has hit hard the neighbouring country. The Albanian medical team was escorted by Prime Minister Edi Rama and Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu to the international Mother Teresa Airport.

Prime Minister Edi Rama hailed this act of solidarity as the right symbolic gesture at an extraordinary moment.  “First of all, I want to express deep gratitude to everyone for the immediate readiness to do the right thing at this extraordinary moment.”

I know this may sound a bit strange to some here in Albania that 30 doctors and nurses of our small army of white coats depart today to the line of fire in Italy.

I do also know that 30 doctors and nurses cannot tilt the balance of forces, the lethal power of the invisible enemy and the power of the white coats fighting it in the line of fire overseas.

But I also know there already lies our home too since Italy, our Italian brothers and sisters saved, rescued, welcomed and adopted us into their home, when Albania was burning with indescribable pain.

We are fighting the same invisible enemy, while our people and war means are not unlimited, but we cannot keep our reserve troops waiting to join the fight here, while many Albanian nationals wounded by the enemy are being treated at the war hospitals in Italy, where they are in dire need for help.

It is true that everyone has locked their borders and that wealthy nations have turned their back on others, but perhaps exactly because we are not that wealthy and because we don’t have any memory loss yet, we cannot allow ourselves to now show Italy that Albania and Albanians never desert their friends in trouble.

This is a war that cannot be won by anyone alone and your dear members of this courageous mission for the life are departing to join a fight that is ours too.

Today we are all Italians and Italy should and will win this battle for us, for whole Europe and the world. God bless you all!” the Premier stated.

The team of doctors and nurses are the example of silent heroes, who are battling Covid-19 today, Health Minister Manastirliu said in her remarks, assuring them that “the state will look after their family members while they are away.

“A part of the doctors and nurses, – said Minister Manastirliu, -” are here not only to show their commitment and help those suffering in hospitals in Italy, but also to set an example of what they want to show to their peers.”