The State Health Inspectorate has conducted inspections and re-inspections in nurseries and kindergartens, as well as in middle and high schools across the country, to ensure the fulfillment of hygiene and sanitary standards for the proper conduct of the new school year.

The Minister of Health and Social Protection, Albana Koçiu, inspected the “Qazim Turdiu” middle school in Tirana to observe the health inspectors’ checks on compliance with hygiene and sanitary conditions in educational institutions. “We continue with inspections to ensure that hygiene and sanitary conditions are met and that everything is in order,” the minister said, adding that the State Health Inspectorate has conducted 1,954 inspections to ensure schools meet hygiene and sanitary standards.

The inspections by the State Health Inspectorate also focus on ensuring that children in preschools and those entering school for the first time are equipped with vaccination certificates.

Koçiu noted, “Children can now be provided with a digital vaccination card, which is directly accessible through the parent’s e-Albania account.”

The Minister of Health also visited the dental office in this school, where the national program “Health in Schools” is applied for free dental and vision screening for children aged 6–14.

Koçiu also spoke about the inclusion, for the first time this academic year, of a program for scoliosis screening. “We will include a new program for scoliosis screening where physical education teachers will play a crucial role alongside doctors’ advice in early identification of scoliosis issues. Doctors recommend early diagnosis from ages 6–14,” she emphasized.

The Institute of Public Health has also published on its official website all the necessary recommendations and information for promoting healthy eating for children.