Marsida Duli
Ministry of Health, Albania
Title: Health policies on dialysis and chronic kidney disease: The benefits of the Albanian patients
Biography
Biography: Marsida Duli
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (SRK) increasingly constitutes a global public health problem of the importance of first-hand. In Albania the problem is practically unknown by the population, yet little-known and widely underestimated by doctors and by the government policy makers and public health authorities. Currently in Albania, chronic renal diseases have an increased incidence and prevalence, as well as a clear trend towards the terminal stage, towards renal replacement therapy. The dialysis service is provided by the public sector and the inability to provide this service in public hospitals of all those patients is increasing in number. Since 2007, half of them take it in private hospitals, where the state reimburses the bill for this service in the private sector. With recent developments in Albanian health policies, the development of health service packages for free, the dialysis service is offered to patients due to public-private partnership, from the private sector, even closer to home. This form of financing health services offers, flexibility for patients to be diagnosed and in need to be treated with dialysis, a continuous medication and without fail. Other challenges are still Albanian nephrology primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. The end result is intended to reduce morbidity and mortality from renal diseases, and improve the quality of health care provided to patients on dialysis.