The President of Kosovo, Vjosa Osmani, and the director of the Kosovo Center for the Fight Against Breast Cancer “Jeta-Vita,” Nafije Latifi, visited the Oncology Clinic. This year, the presidency has donated 640 oncology care packages for breast cancer patients.
President Osmani stated that for the past four years, they have been providing oncology packages, which include breast prostheses and wigs.
“A support that may seem symbolic at first glance, yet it carries great importance for psychological support. This year, 640 oncology packages are a donation from the presidency, and we are providing them to patients who have suffered or are suffering from breast cancer. For four consecutive years, we have maintained this collaboration. Of course, our efforts do not end here, because each year we push forward amendments in the budget to increase the funding needed for essential medications for these patients, as well as for all Oncology patients. We will continue this effort with the support of doctors, who know best what patients need. Today, we also discussed ongoing needs, including increasing staff and establishing a palliative care center, a project I have been advancing with Ms. Nafije for several years, and I hope it will become a reality soon,” she declared.
The president also called on men and women to undergo early screenings for timely detection of the disease.
Nafije Latifi, director of the Kosovo Center for the Fight Against Breast Cancer “Jeta-Vita,” emphasized the urgent need for a palliative care center.
“Lastly, there is a crucial need for a palliative care center, which is missing in Kosovo for patients. At the same time, I am very grateful to the staff at the Oncology Clinic, led by Director Ilir Kurtishi, who do extraordinary work with patients most severely affected by cancer. They are available 24 hours a day and do everything possible to relieve pain and provide care,” she said.
Ilir Kurtishi, director of the Oncology Clinic, noted that the oncology packages donated by the presidency have a significant psychological and physical impact on patients.
“These packages, which were distributed to patients with cancer today, have a significant impact both psychologically and physically, and we hope to use them in the most effective and rational way. We sincerely thank the president for her extraordinary contribution last year, which, together with MPs and the Ministry of Health, made it possible for us to have medications that directly impact the life expectancy of female breast cancer patients and those with skin tumors or melanoma. We also received a renewed commitment from the president to help Kosovar citizens have even more medications next year, in coordination with the Ministry of Health, so that our citizens can receive adequate and proper treatment at the Oncology Clinic. Since the number of patients we treat daily reaches over 200–250 people, and more than 1,500 new cases were reported to the clinic for the first time this year, this highlights the essential need for regular supplies of medications and equipment, as well as sufficient nursing staff, to ensure that every citizen of Kosovo receives proper care in public institutions,” Kurtishi concluded.
In the first nine months of this year, 330 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, the same number as last year, including three men.
October is recognized as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
