Vlorë, Minister Sala One Step Closer to the Patient in Oncology Care

Prof. Evis Sala, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, toured the newly renovated day chemotherapy facility at Vlora Regional Hospital with Helidon Nina, Director of the National Institute of Tumors.
With the goal of expanding oncology services to 12 regional hospitals in 2026–2027, the investment is a component of the nationwide reform of cancer services. The first three completed investments are QSUT, Vlora, and Korça; development is still ongoing in Shkodër, Lezhë, and Fier.
During the visit, Minister Sala stressed that one of the goals of the oncology reform is to make services more accessible to patients. She also emphasized how the Mane Foundation and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare worked together to renovate a number of day chemotherapy facilities around the nation.
“As one of my primary initiatives as Minister of Health and as a physician with a long career in cancer, I committed less than a year ago to putting oncology at the forefront. We have fulfilled our commitment. We fortified the oncology network and founded the National Institute of Tumors. With the goal of finishing the process by 2027, work will continue on the other centers, with the Vlora center being the third to be renovated, according to Minister Sala.
The minister emphasized the value of communication between physicians and patients, characterizing it as a crucial component of high-quality healthcare.
“As medical professionals, it is our responsibility to address every inquiry. “We need to be patient enough to give patients all the information they require,” she emphasized.
Establishing organizational standards for the National Oncology Network, enhancing facilities and equipment, and increasing access to medications are all part of initiatives to improve oncology services nationwide. Eight chemotherapy facilities have been evaluated thus far, three of which have undergone renovations, and 38 unified oncology treatment regimens have been approved. In the meantime, Fier Memorial Hospital’s ninth center is starting to open.
Additionally, a Breast Unit has been established for the first time, establishing a multidisciplinary paradigm for the diagnosis and treatment of breast problems in accordance with modern methods.
The third linear accelerator for diagnosis and treatment went online in May 2026, and a fourth accelerator will soon join the network. Patients with hematological cancers, lung and breast cancer, melanoma, and tumors with particular biomarkers now have more therapeutic options thanks to a 23% increase in the variety of oncology medications offered at regional centers and the addition of nine new active ingredients.
Prof. Evis Sala, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, toured the newly renovated day chemotherapy facility at Vlora Regional Hospital with Helidon Nina, Director of the National Institute of Tumors.
With the goal of expanding oncology services to 12 regional hospitals in 2026–2027, the investment is a component of the nationwide reform of cancer services. The first three completed investments are QSUT, Vlora, and Korça; development is still ongoing in Shkodër, Lezhë, and Fier.
During the visit, Minister Sala stressed that one of the goals of the oncology reform is to make services more accessible to patients. She also emphasized how the Mane Foundation and the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare worked together to renovate a number of day chemotherapy facilities around the nation.
“As one of my primary initiatives as Minister of Health and as a physician with a long career in cancer, I committed less than a year ago to putting oncology at the forefront. We have fulfilled our commitment. We fortified the oncology network and founded the National Institute of Tumors. With the goal of finishing the process by 2027, work will continue on the other centers, with the Vlora center being the third to be renovated, according to Minister Sala.
The minister emphasized the value of communication between physicians and patients, characterizing it as a crucial component of high-quality healthcare.
“As medical professionals, it is our responsibility to address every inquiry. “We need to be patient enough to give patients all the information they require,” she emphasized.
Establishing organizational standards for the National Oncology Network, enhancing facilities and equipment, and increasing access to medications are all part of initiatives to improve oncology services nationwide. Eight chemotherapy facilities have been evaluated thus far, three of which have undergone renovations, and 38 unified oncology treatment regimens have been approved. In the meantime, Fier
Memorial Hospital’s ninth center is starting to open.
Additionally, a Breast Unit has been established for the first time, establishing a multidisciplinary paradigm for the diagnosis and treatment of breast problems in accordance with modern methods.
The third linear accelerator for diagnosis and treatment went online in May 2026, and a fourth accelerator will soon join the network. Patients with hematological cancers, lung and breast cancer, melanoma, and tumors with particular biomarkers now have more therapeutic options thanks to a 23% increase in the variety of oncology medications offered at regional centers and the addition of nine new active ingredients.