The Director of Albania's National Emergency Service, Dr. Skënder Brataj, has called on doctors and healthcare professionals to become more active on social media in order to combat misinformation and dangerous advice circulating online. According to Brataj, social media has become a major source of information for the public, but it is also being used by people without the proper qualifications to spread myths and false health information. He stressed that doctors should not

A new study has shown that rubbing your eyes may provide a feeling of relief, but at the same time increases the risk of corneal damage and infections, according to “Science”. Although rubbing the eyes often seems harmless, it can have consequences for the delicate structure of the eye, especially the cornea – the transparent layer at the front of the eye. This action is usually triggered by allergies, dry eyes, fatigue, or irritation. For a moment, it may bring relief becaus

Summer viruses, children aged 1–4 most exposed / Lama: Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen, seek medical check-ups in time. Cases of viral infections among children continue to appear even during the summer season. High temperatures and frequent changes in environment contribute to the increase of seasonal infections, while pediatricians are urging parents to be cautious and not ignore the first signs. Fever, diarrhea, and vomiting are among the most common symptoms affecting c

The oncology ward of the Korçë hospital has now been fully equipped with all the necessary medical equipment, thanks to a donation from the United States of America. An initiative that began around two years ago by the “Albanian Fighting Cancer” foundation, bringing together philanthropists, artists, doctors, and many others, was finalized with a special event in the southeastern city. This intervention means that patients fighting this difficult disease can now receive treat

High summer temperatures can cause various health conditions, and heat stroke is one of them. Doctors at the Polyvalent Emergency Service at QSUT say that so far they have not had any cases, but such cases have occurred every summer. Currently, with the number of daily emergency cases exceeding 400, the majority of patients are people with chronic illnesses. Public Health experts urge the entire population to take precautions, but they emphasize that extra care should be take

“The ads promising quick solutions to health problems are flooding social media, attracting hundreds of consumers every day. The most vulnerable to these scam schemes are the elderly, who often lack the necessary information to distinguish a safe product from a fake advertisement.” This was the topic discussed on the show “Shije Shtëpie” this Monday, June 15. Pharmacist Diana Toma explained that Albanian legislation clearly prohibits the online sale of medicines, while many o

Myocardial infarction is no longer sparing young people. Cardiologists say that in recent years, cases have been increasingly observed even among people under the age of 40, and the causes are numerous. “There are a number of risk factors related both to lifestyle and eating habits. These are directly linked to conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and high blood fat levels, along with stress and other psychological factors that can contribute to the early onset of myoca

When the name Yllson Ibrahimllari is mentioned, many citizens remember not only the professional orthopedic surgeon, but also the simple man, ready to listen and help anyone in need. Originally from the Maliq area, Ibrahimllari graduated from the Faculty of Medicine in Tirana, where he later completed his specialization in Orthopedics. Today he works as an orthopedic surgeon in one of the largest private hospitals in Tirana, earning the respect of colleagues and the trust of

A team of doctors at NYU Langone Health has performed the world’s first lung transplant from an HIV-positive donor to an HIV-positive recipient. The procedure is considered a historic breakthrough, as it expands transplant options for people living with HIV by increasing the pool of potential donors who were previously not considered eligible. “This is a defining moment for the HIV community and represents real progress toward equity in organ transplantation,” said Sapna Meht

A sad news has touched the medical community and thousands of Albanian families. The well-known neonatologist Edi Tushe has passed away, one of the most respected figures of Albanian medicine and one of the pioneers of the country’s neonatology service. For decades, Dr. Tushe stood by generations of Albanian children and parents, becoming a beloved and trusted name in newborn care. Through his professionalism, dedication, and humanity, he earned the respect of colleagues and

Chinese surgeons have performed the world’s first transplant of a liver and two kidneys from a genetically modified pig into a human recipient, marking a major milestone in the field of xenotransplantation. The procedure was carried out at the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University on a brain-dead patient and was led by Professor Dou Kefeng, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. According to reports, the transplanted organs functioned for around five d

Ozempic: Scientists raise alarm over its possible impact on the brain Ozempic has become one of the most widely used drugs in the world in recent years, mainly for weight loss and diabetes control. But while millions of people use it to reduce appetite and excess weight, scientists are discovering that its effects may go far beyond the stomach and metabolism, directly affecting the brain as well. One of the studies that has drawn attention is led by Alison Shapiro, an assista

Although the experience of COVID-19 led to significant investments in hospital logistics and the National Emergency Service, geographic inequality and chronic underfunding remain serious obstacles to dealing with new pandemics on the scale of COVID-19. A critical shortage of doctors, driven by emigration, as well as laboratory dependence on imports, risk causing delayed responses in crises. Experts are calling for the creation of emergency reserves and the strengthening of re

The Deputy Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Eugena Tomini, has clarified details about the new guideline on hormone therapy, emphasizing that it is a clinical guidance document and not a final therapeutic protocol. She underlined that the purpose of the document is to guide healthcare professionals in the process of recommending hormone therapy for individuals referred for this service. According to her, the guideline does not provide for the initiation of hormone treat

Hypertension continues to remain one of the most concerning health problems in Albania, while according to data, nearly 1 in 2 adults suffers from high blood pressure. Doctor Marsida Duli spoke about this issue during a television interview, where she raised the alarm about the serious consequences caused by failing to keep this disease under control. According to her, regular medical checkups, following treatment protocols, and keeping blood pressure within normal values are

4 out of 10 people suffer from high blood pressure, and many of them are not even aware that they have it, causing damage and worsening various health conditions. The number of people with hypertension in Albania continues to rise, and an increasing number of young people are now also suffering from high blood pressure. “Hypertension causes ischemia and damages the heart, brain, and kidneys,” said Dr. Eneida Hoxha from the Internal Medicine Service in an interview for TCh. On

The report published by “Together for Life” raises concerns about the critical situation of public financing in Albania’s healthcare system. According to the report “Monitoring Health Sector Expenditures 2025”, the country remains among the least funded in the region, despite government claims of increased healthcare budgets. Albania’s healthcare spending per capita is 33% lower than the Western Balkans average and 42% lower than the regional average. For 2025, healthcare spe

The organization “Together for Life”, which works for social justice in the country, has published the findings of a report titled “Monitoring of Health Sector Expenditures” for the year 2025. The report aims to shed light on deviations from the plan and objectives of the National Health Strategy 2021–2030, as well as to present a clear overview of the actual health-related expenditures made during 2025 by the Ministry of Health and Social Protection. One of the most concerni

The list of reimbursed medicines has been officially updated and has now entered into force in all pharmacies and hospitals across the country, following approval by the Council of Ministers. The new changes bring a significant expansion of medicines included in the reimbursement scheme, benefiting thousands of patients across Albania. In total, 55 new commercial medicine alternatives have been added, which will be available both in public pharmacies and hospital pharmacies.

A large international operation, supported by Eurojust and Europol, led to the dismantling of a criminal network that was defrauding patients across Europe with counterfeit supplements and medicines. Authorities from 15 countries took part in the operation, while the group is suspected of generating around €240 million through illegal activities. Investigations revealed that the criminal organization, active since 2019, operated in a structured and professional way, creating