More than 5,000 domestic and foreign holidaymakers have sought medical assistance at Albania’s summer health centres. Their health issues ranged from minor conditions to cases requiring microsurgical procedures performed by the medical teams at these facilities.
“Most of the visits were consultations and follow-up examinations related to insect bites, allergies, symptoms of hypertension, and gastroenteritis. Only 150 patients were referred to municipal and regional hospitals, while 141 calls were directed to the National Emergency Service. We also carried out around 500 microsurgical interventions at the summer health centres,” said Jeta Deda, Director of the Compulsory Health Care Insurance Fund.
However, patient numbers have not been evenly distributed across the 36 summer health centres.
“During the first two weeks of the tourist season, we recorded a significant increase in demand. The centres that provided the highest number of services were the St. Anthony’s Church Health Centre in Laç and the Shëngjin Summer Health Centre, rather than the one in Velipojë. Depending on the location, foreign tourists account for around 20–30% of visitors, while the rest are Albanian holidaymakers,” Deda added.
Opened on June 1, the 36 summer health centres will provide healthcare services to holidaymakers around the clock, seven days a week, until the end of September.
