The Healthcare Trade Union Federation of Kosovo is concerned that there has been no response from the Ministry of Health regarding the offer by Prime Minister of Albania, Edi Rama to vaccinate Kosovo’s health workers with the anti-COVID vaccine.
“The President of the Healthcare Trade Union Federation, Dr. Blerim Syla, communicated with the Ambassador of the Republic of Kosovo in Albania, Nait Hasani, who is directly engaged in the vaccination of health workers in Kukes, but unfortunately the Ministry of Health of Kosovo so far is neglecting the offer,” Prishtina-based daily Koha quotes the reaction.
“We call on Ministry of Health that if there is no possibility and readiness for the organization of vaccination of Kosovo health workers in Kukes, then the Healthcare Trade Union Federation is ready to take it over,” it says.
They warned on Monday that any delay is the responsibility of the institution of the Republic of Kosovo.
The outgoing Minister of Health, Armend Zemaj stated on Monday that two or three days ago Albanian government addressed Kosovo with a “humanitarian request” to send health workers to Kukes for the vaccination.
Zemaj told Klan Kosova that there is no official letter regarding the issue, but asked he requested a list of those who want to be vaccinated.
“As a minister, I have addressed the Hospital, Clinical and University Service to make a list of doctors who want to go and be vaccinated. The vaccines offered are around 50 people,” he said.
Kosovo remains the only country in the region that did not receive any dose of the anti-COVID vaccine.
Zemaj and the outgoing Prime Minister, Avdullah Hoti initially said that the vaccines were expected to arrive in February. However, it is not clear yet when the Kosovo population will have the opportunity to be vaccinated.
There are currently 11,058 active cases in the country, while 1,715 deaths related to COVID-19 were registered.
