Regional labor shortages and public health monitoring reported in Albania and North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, the Public Health Center Ohrid's Dibra unit is conducting water quality monitoring in the Dibra Municipality following local debates regarding drinking water safety and recent supply restrictions. The unit performs physicochemical and microbiological laboratory analyses to ensure safety standards. While the unit currently handles up to seven samples monthly through a contract with NPK ‘Standard’ Dibër, the number of samples can be increased upon request from municipal councils or sanitary inspectors to address health concerns.

In Albania, the elderly care sector is facing significant labor shortages due to domestic emigration. Private care centers in Tirana and Sauk are exploring the recruitment of foreign workers from the Philippines and Tunisia to fill vacancies for caregivers and nurses. However, administrators expressed concerns regarding professional qualifications, language barriers, and the potential for sudden departures by foreign staff.