Another free of charge healthcare service adds to the already free services the Albanian government provides at the University Hospital Centre in Tirana and that is the removal of a clouded lens or cataract from the eye and placing an artificial lens, a procedure costing to date around $700 to every patient needing such a service.

“For around a year, the University Hospital Centre has launched provision of such important health care service for free to every patient who needs a cataract surgery and its replacement by an artificial lens. The service is provided to over 2000 patients a year and it has been also launched in the regional hospital in Vlora and is set to be launched in the regional hospital of Elbasan soon,” the Minister of Health and Social Protection Ogerta Manastirliu said.

Patients who have already underwent the cataract removal and lens placing procedures say they are really pleased that such service is provided for free at the University Hospitals as otherwise they would have to pay $ 700. “The best thing is free of charge and, understandably, the doctor’s special hand,” said a patient.

Prime Minister Edi Rama praised and voiced support for the work of doctors in the country’s healthcare system. “Fantastic and committed doctors and nurses work here and regional hospitals across the country. Of course, there are doctors and nurses who disgrace us all, but the truth is that what I have already been told by citizens who have received health care services in public hospitals and who have completely changed their perception,” the Premier said.

***

A new a new pharmaceutical warehouse, a government-funded project worth of 18 million euros, is set to be built at the University Hospital Centre ‘Mother Teresa” in Tirana in a near future. The pharmaceutical storehouse is a vital investment to ensure safety and a quality pharmaceutical service. Prime Minister Edi Rama, accompanied by the Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu, inspected works at the construction site.

“The facility will include seven refrigeration units to provide optimal conditions for the refrigerated storage of medicines. A big warehouse will be used for the storage of serums and all other elements. Every drug that is supplied to the University Hospital Centre is scanned and bears a barcode and same procedure when medicines are delivered to the patients. It is an investment that ensures quality,” Health Minister Manastirliu said, underlining that medicine cost is estimated at around 18 million euro a year and building a pharmaceutical warehouse up to highest storage standards was an imperative.

“This is an investment that provides the highest European standards on medicines safety and quality and a significant transformation for the entire service structure at the University Hospital Centre,” Prime Minister Rama said.