The American Chamber of Commerce’s Healthcare Committee hosted a Business Breakfast with Minister of Health Evis Sala, bringing together public and private sector stakeholders to discuss key priorities for healthcare reform in Albania. The event provided an opportunity for a constructive exchange of views on developing a healthcare system that places people’s well-being at its center and leverages effective public-private collaboration to deliver sustainable results.
The priorities outlined by the Healthcare Committee closely align with the Ministry’s reform agenda. Key areas of focus include increasing healthcare funding, expanding access to innovative and high-quality medicines, modernizing medical equipment, and establishing an integrated digital health information system.
A major pillar of the Ministry’s reform strategy is the transformation of oncology care through the establishment of the National Institute of Oncology. Minister Sala announced that the Council of Ministers’ decision to establish the institute is expected to be approved shortly, with the institution projected to become fully operational and independently managed beginning in January of next year.
During an open and transparent discussion with AmCham members, Minister Sala emphasized the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors and invited the American Chamber to contribute its expertise and support in advancing these reforms, describing healthcare transformation as a shared national objective.
AmCham Executive Director Neritan Mullaj highlighted several achievements made possible through the Chamber’s ongoing dialogue with the Ministry of Health. These include the revision of the reimbursable medicines list and the introduction of a more balanced pharmaceutical reference pricing system, both of which have generated meaningful improvements for businesses operating in the sector. He noted, however, that several important issues remain on the Chamber’s agenda and reaffirmed AmCham’s commitment to supporting the Ministry through continued engagement and technical expertise.
International healthcare expert Slaveyko Djambazov presented an overview of Albania’s healthcare landscape and the reforms needed to support the country’s European integration ambitions. He noted that Albania’s healthcare expenditure remains significantly below both regional and European Union averages, accounting for just 2.9% of GDP compared to approximately 4% in neighboring countries and around 6% across the EU.
This funding gap contributes to high out-of-pocket healthcare costs for citizens, limited access to services, and delays in treatment. Drawing on European best practices, Mr. Djambazov outlined a positive vision for Albania, emphasizing that the country’s relatively small population presents a unique opportunity to build a modern, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare system through gradual increases in public investment and stronger evidence-based decision-making.
According to Mr. Djambazov, a modern healthcare investment framework should encompass pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, screening programs, medical devices, digital health solutions, integrated care models, and preventive healthcare. Such an approach would enhance transparency, improve predictability, optimize resource allocation, and strengthen engagement with financial institutions and policymakers.
Anna Savinkina, Chair of AmCham’s Healthcare Committee, emphasized that better health outcomes contribute directly to economic growth, which in turn creates greater fiscal capacity for future healthcare investments. This principle resonated strongly throughout the discussion and underscored a shared understanding among participants that meaningful healthcare reform can only be achieved through collaboration among government institutions, healthcare professionals, patients, industry stakeholders, and academia.
Closing the discussion, Rovena Dhroso, Member of the AmCham Board of Directors, highlighted the existence of a practical platform for cooperation between experts from the American Chamber and the Ministry of Health. She noted that this collaboration can support both short-term priorities, such as increasing healthcare funding in the upcoming budget cycle, and longer-term reforms, including the modernization of Albania’s pharmaceutical legislation.
The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining an open dialogue and working together to build a more resilient, innovative, and sustainable healthcare system for Albania.
