The Transformation of the Oncology Service at University Hospital Center ‘Mother Teresa’, Thanks to a Strategic Partnership with the World-Renowned Sheba Medical Center from Israel

The Oncology Department at the "Mother Teresa" University Hospital Center (QSUNT) will undergo a major transformation, becoming one of the most modern services, marking a new era of progress for public healthcare. This transformation is made possible through a strategic partnership with "Sheba Medical Center" in Israel, a global leader in medical excellence. Starting today, Sheba Medical Center is officially the strategic partner of QSUNT.

The goal of this collaboration is to enhance the capabilities of the oncology service, raise healthcare standards, and offer modern solutions for the health of citizens.

Prime Minister Edi Rama visited the University Hospital Center 'Mother Teresa' today alongside the Minister of Health and Social Protection. During a meeting with the hospital staff, the new action plan for the Oncology Department was presented. This plan, aligned with the best international standards, aims to significantly improve the quality of patient care.

"This is not just a formal partnership, nor a random or sporadic exchange of experiences. It is a strategic alliance based on the shared understanding that, alongside the leadership and medical team at Sheba Hospital, we will create a synergy that, over the coming years, will turn the University Hospital Center 2030 into a model of excellence for Albania and the entire region," said Prime Minister Rama in his speech.

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We are returning to this auditorium today following a previous meeting we held due to a dramatic situation caused by a criminal group at the Oncology Hospital. I am very pleased that today, we return with optimism and with the confidence that comes from a strategic partnership with one of the world's leading centers of medical excellence, the prestigious Sheba Medical Center from Israel, which is ranked ninth in the global hospital rankings. I am truly optimistic about the future progress of transforming the University Hospital Center and the Oncology Hospital, starting with the Oncology Hospital, into a true reflection of excellent healthcare in Albania. This is not a formal partnership, nor a random or occasional exchange of experience. It is a strategic alliance, based on the understanding that, side by side with the leadership of Sheba Hospital, and with the doctors of Sheba Hospital, we will create a synergy that will, over the coming years, make the University Hospital Center 2030 a model of excellence for Albania and the entire region.

I am deeply grateful to the President of Israel, who, during his visit to Tirana, was very willing to help establish this contact that we had been trying to arrange for some time. I am also extremely grateful to the esteemed leader of Sheba Medical Center, Professor Kreissi, who personally traveled here to Albania. They had an extensive meeting, and we thoroughly addressed all the issues we aim to tackle. In that meeting, I received the guarantee I am sharing with you today, and what is happening now proves that it wasn't just a routine meeting, but the beginning of an intensive effort. Several representatives from the hospital have already moved forward with this, starting with Nama, who is here and whom I want to thank for his commitment, and of course, Yoel, who is also here with us on stage. But more than a figure on stage, Yoel is a man of action, dedicated to implementing projects and programs in the real world.

So, what is our ambition from this partnership? First and foremost, we want the Mother Teresa University Hospital Center to raise its management standards to European levels and adopt the best international practices.

And what will happen is that, in the day-to-day operations of the hospital, starting with the Oncology Hospital, there will be continuous synergy. The Minister mentioned several points, but the most important is that today, thanks to technology, the processes of interaction, collaboration, and consultation-both from a managerial and medical perspective-will be conducted in real time.

Another key aspect is technology itself, and the investments in technological advancements.

Something else which I consider very important, is, strategic support for the hospital's human resources-doctors, administrators, and all levels of staff-through both short-term work visits to Israel and longer-term stays, up to one year, for specific doctors who will be selected. I want to emphasize, they will be selected based on merit, and this is crucial.

This means that, even in this aspect, we have the full assurance that any further efforts to build our human resource capacity will be based on meritocratic principles and the real, specific needs of the hospital.

On the other hand, there will be direct, concrete support for specific patients, especially considering the need, in certain cases, for treatments that must be carried out elsewhere. We know very well that this isn't just an issue for Albania or QSUT, but there are treatments and interventions that can only be performed in a few places in Europe or even in the world. I am especially grateful for Sheba Medical Center's commitment to treating critical cases for children-those requiring truly super-specialized interventions. These highly specialized procedures will be carried out with the involvement of QSUT doctors, who will be present to observe, learn, and grow professionally.

At the same time, work with the Oncology Department will begin concretely today, and Sheba will have a dedicated person here. Currently, it is Nama, but it's their responsibility to organize themselves and ensure smooth collaboration. Meanwhile, we have already agreed with the hospital leadership on the overall strategic development plan for the hospital. We've committed that the government will fully support this plan, as, at the end of the day, such a plan comes with its own costs.

It's not just about good intentions; there is also a cost, and as a government, we will do everything we can to cover that cost. Now that we've moved past the phase of rebuilding the center- as you all know-and with the infrastructure nearly complete, with the final buildings either under construction or being renovated, we need to move forward and invest much more in human resources. This is not just about salaries and technology. Over the next five years, we will transform QSUT into a center of technological excellence.

This is our objective, and based on what I learned from my extensive discussion with Professor Kreiss and his colleagues, this is entirely achievable. Many of the resources and systems they have in their hospital can be made available to us. Additionally, in terms of organizing the entire process of pharmaceuticals- from procurement to management and distribution- we will establish an exemplary international practice here, thanks to their support. What the Minister said is absolutely true. So, this is a complete transformation, and in a way, it's a joint administration aimed at creating the conditions over the next five years to establish a strong culture of hospital management here, for a hospital complex like this one. Because it's not just a hospital, it's a whole complex.

I would like to express my gratitude once again to all our Israeli friends. I particularly want to mention-though I'm not usually one to overdo the thanks to ambassadors-but in this case, I want to give special thanks to the Ambassador of Israel, who is here with us today. She has been a true guarantor of this project.

Thank you all very much, and thank you for your patience and attention. The best is yet to come for the University Hospital Center.

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