In Saranda, year after year, the number of births is dropping significantly. Last year, 150 babies were born in the Maternity Hospital of Saranda, while for 2024 the expectations are even less.

For obstetrician-gynecologist Nuredin Çapari, the reason is the demographic movement and women’s decision to become mothers in their 30s.

“150 births and this year we will have even less. Until now, at the end of April, the number of births has not exceeded 50. The reason is the demographic movement both abroad and inside the country, the decrease in the number of young women who are candidates to become mothers or to have an abortion, and above all young mothers look at the career, the professional side and when they think of having children, they go around 30 years old, we add here the decrease in the number of births and these factors create a vacuum,” said Nuredin Çapari, obstetrician-gynecologist.

Abortion cases are also decreasing.

“For the last 10 years, the trend of abortions is decreasing, so are births, so is the demographic movement both inside the country and abroad, even in the last 2-3 years the number of abortions has almost been minimized, only abortions in the 3rd month of seen, spontaneous abortions, abortions that occurred in the framework of viral diseases, or abortions from conceptions above the level of infection.”

Education on sexual and reproductive health in the southern city has produced effects. The doctor claims that girls and women are increasingly informed and choose to have frequent check-ups.

“Women turn to the consultant in the first place, to choose the methods of contraception, according to their desire and the conditions recommended by the doctor after the tests, they are also informed about the sexually transmitted diseases that can disrupt their progress towards of sterilization.”

Although Saranda is not part of the cities affected by the mass exodus of young people, still births’ number has decreased.