The Italian Civil Protection, through the Embassy of Italy in Kosovo, today donated a significant amount of hygiene and sanitary materials to the Central Pharmacy of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, consisting of 30 pallets of hand sanitizers. The total value of this donation is around €80,000.
The Italian Ambassador to Kosovo, Maurizio Antonini, said that this donation will contribute to improving healthcare services for the citizens of Kosovo and will strengthen the strong ties between the two countries.
Antonini added that for the next year, they have planned support for Kosovo’s healthcare sector valued at over half a million euros.
“The donation today (30 pallets of hand sanitizers, with a total value of about €80,000) was made possible thanks to the Italian Civil Protection (Protezione Civile), which is also covering all transport and logistics costs. I want to express my sincere gratitude to them for this generous contribution. This initiative is not an isolated gesture. It fits within the broader framework of the ‘Support for Kosovo’s Healthcare System’ project, through which Italy continuously assists Kosovo in strengthening its medical capacities. Through this program, we have contributed to significant improvements in cardiac surgery, both through specialized training and the provision of key equipment, such as the newly donated microbiology laboratory. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy stood by Kosovo, providing protective materials and urgent medical support, and additional equipment worth over half a million euros is already planned for next year to consolidate these achievements,” he said.
Acting Minister of Health, Arben Vitia, expressed gratitude to the people of Italy for their consistent support to Kosovo’s healthcare system.
He also mentioned other collaborations that contribute to the education of healthcare professionals.
“This is an assistance and collaboration based on long-standing cooperation between the people of Italy and Kosovo. I also want to mention that during the COVID period, when Italy was facing a very serious situation, our friends from Italy found the opportunity and strength to help us at that time… With investments in the Cardiac Surgery Clinic, which today is one of the model clinics not only in Kosovo but also with clinical microbiology and many other areas where Italy has helped Kosovo… For the first time in the past two years, in cooperation with the UCCK, we have established a fund of around €1 million dedicated to educating healthcare professionals in Kosovo for interventions that until now could not be performed in the Republic of Kosovo. Investments in infrastructure and equipment, but especially in human resources, which can never be replaced,” Vitia said.
The donation ceremony was attended by representatives of the Italian Civil Protection, as well as the Director General of the University Clinical Hospital Service of Kosovo, Elvir Azizi, and the acting Director of the University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Mentor Zejnullahu.
