Infant mortality in Albania is four times higher than in Germany and, with nearly nine deaths per 1,000 live births, represents the lowest ranking in Europe. Intensive medical care for premature and sick newborns is only possible in the capital, Tirana. In the provinces of the country, a premature or sick infant must be transported to the capital in poorly equipped vehicles in order to receive the necessary treatment there. This deficiency, as well as the level of training of nursing staff, has contributed to infant mortality in Albania slowly rising again in recent years.
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During an initial exploratory trip to Shkodra in northwestern Albania in August 2021, the medical care situation, the personnel, spatial and technical prerequisites as well as the required resources were assessed and determined. Essential for the start of a new project is a reliable willingness to cooperate on the part of the local project partner. The long-term goal and the corresponding approach are defined through joint dialogue. The hospital in Shkodra wishes to improve neonatal capabilities so that births before the 32nd week of pregnancy and infants with a birth weight of less than 2,500 grams can be safely cared for on site, thus eliminating the dangerous transport of newborns for the majority of emergency cases.
Training of physicians and nursing staff as well as neonatal specialization and continuing education are intended to contribute to decisively improving the care situation for the north of the country. The technical equipment of the department is to be gradually supplemented and renewed and the staff trained accordingly. A young and dedicated team from Klinikum Dortmund is implementing the new project with two deployments per year.
Project Management
Hilke Göken, Pediatrician, Dortmund
