Albania prepares to double emergency medical capacity

In response to calls from the World Health Organization (WHO) to prepare for massive health emergencies, Albania is working to strengthen its emergency response plans. Edmond Zaimi, Head of Polyvalent Emergency at the University Hospital Center of Tirana (QSUT), stated that health systems must be pre-prepared to handle sudden surges in demand caused by disasters or mass casualties.

Zaimi emphasized the need to double current emergency medical capacities to manage situations where demand might be twice as high as normal levels. Identified risks requiring such preparedness include war, earthquakes, climate change, and terrorist acts. While emergency plans have been in development for over two years, the current focus is on testing these plans to identify and address existing gaps and deficits.