Albania partners with Israel’s Sheba Medical Center to elevate healthcare standards
Albania has entered a five-year partnership with Israel’s Sheba Medical Center, ranked 9th globally among top hospitals, to enhance the capabilities of the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center (QSUT), with a special focus on the oncology hospital. Prime Minister Edi Rama, announcing the partnership, credited Israeli President Isaac Herzog for facilitating the agreement as a gesture of gratitude for Albania’s historical support for Jewish families during World War II.
Why is this important: The QSUT is Albania’s largest hospital, serving hundreds of patients daily, particularly in its oncology unit, which has seen a surge in demand due to the rising number of cancer cases. Despite investments, resource gaps and incidents like last year’s scandal involving doctors redirecting patients to private clinics for large fees underscore the urgent need for improved management and expertise.
Context: The partnership with Sheba Medical Center will provide continuous training for Albanian oncologists, administrative staff, and other professionals. It also includes:
- Specialized care: Treatment for complex pediatric cancer cases in Tel Aviv.
- Capacity building: Short-term and year-long training programs for QSUT medical staff in Israel.
- Procurement efficiency: Collaboration in pharmaceutical procurement to secure medicines at lower costs and ensure transparent processes.
Prime Minister Rama emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, saying, “Sheba’s experts have assessed our hospital and noted the strong professional foundation we possess, which can be elevated to a much higher standard.”
Additionally, the collaboration is expected to streamline drug procurement, allowing Albania to benefit from Sheba’s connections with major pharmaceutical distributors. Rama noted this would reduce costs and improve transparency in medical supply chains.
Looking ahead: Rama declared an ambitious goal to transform QSUT into a technological and medical excellence hub within five years. Assistance from Israeli specialists will focus on the hospital’s management and oncology services, aiming to establish a world-class healthcare model in Albania.
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