At the Cardiology Clinic at the University Clinical Center of Kosovo (UCCK), a €1.5 million transformation has been inaugurated today, aimed at improving treatment conditions for patients, especially in terms of diagnostics.

Prime Minister Albin Kurti also attended the inauguration and said that the investment directly affects the lives and health of citizens, reports KosovaPress.

According to him, the changes will also reduce waiting lists at the Cardiology Clinic.

“The investment amounts to 1.5 million euros, while treatment capacities will be significantly increased. From over 4,000 interventions per year, as has been the case so far, the goal is to reach up to 8,000 interventions per year. In addition, waiting lists will be reduced. The investment also includes important infrastructural improvements,” he said.

Minister of Health Arben Vitia said that these investments give the Cardiology Clinic the proper attention it deserves.

According to him, the renovation will increase opportunities for more diagnostics and better conditions for both patients and healthcare staff.

“A few months ago, the renovation of this part you saw began, and now it has been completed. We have started renovating the semi-intensive unit, which will also be completed during this year, and then we will continue with the second floor, where chronic cardiology patients are treated. In this way, we are giving the proper attention to one of the most important clinics in our healthcare system, the Cardiology Clinic, as most morbidity and mortality in Kosovo, as in the world, comes from cardiovascular diseases… After the renovation, this clinic will have optimal conditions for patients, increasing the number of those diagnosed and treated, improving treatment conditions, and above all improving conditions for doctors,” he said.

The Ambassador of Luxembourg to Kosovo, Eric Dietz, said that such investments are saving lives.

“I believe that the inauguration of this Card Lab will mark an important step forward in providing quality healthcare services here in Kosovo. The problem was well known. Cardiovascular diseases account for 35% of deaths worldwide, and in Kosovo it is very similar. We know that in the past there were long waiting lists here to receive proper healthcare, so Luxembourg reacted quickly. We were here together with the Prime Minister in August when we started the hospital renovation, and I would like to commend the Luxembourg Development Agency, LuxDev, for this performance. The renovation was completed in November and since then 1,000 patients have already been treated, so these investments are truly saving lives,” he said.

It was also reported today that a family member of a patient at UCCK was attacked by stray dogs. In response, Prime Minister Kurti said that measures are being taken regarding this issue.

“Measures are being taken on this, and we have responsible persons and processes for this issue, both from the Municipality of Pristina, but at the same time there are clinic directors and the director of UCCK who can respond to these matters. Believe me, I am only the Prime Minister of Kosovo, I am not also the director of UCCK or of each of its clinics,” he said.

A few weeks ago, the Cardiology Clinic faced a shortage of stents for patients.