A EUR 25 million loan to benefit Albanian healthcare

Albania's government announced a EUR 25 million loan to improve hospital infrastructure, buy new medical equipment, and digitise data.

Despite cynicism from opposition, the parliamentary health committee approved a draft law "on the ratification of a loan agreement between the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Republic of Albania " on Monday (6 June).

"It has three components: infrastructure improvement, improved health information management, monitoring, project management, evaluation, and technical assistance," said Ogerta Manastirliu, Minister of Health.

The funds will be divided among several hospitals, including the cardiac surgery hospital, psychiatric facilities, the burns hospital, and the Kruje and Lezha rehabilitation facilities.

As a result of the 2019 earthquake and the National Health Strategy 2021-2030, the loan is required.

Manastirliu also stated that an additional EUR 32 m will be given to help with the implementation of a World Bank project.

Opposition lawmakers have stated that a concrete assessment of how the money is spent is required, and that the problems mentioned cannot be solved with only EUR 25 million.