Minister Sala: Consultation begins on the creation of the National Oncology Institute
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Evis Sala, participated in the roundtable discussion organized by the American Chamber of Commerce, where she presented the Ministry's strategic priorities and the key reforms that are transforming the Albanian healthcare system.
During her speech, Minister Sala announced that the consultation process has begun for the Decision of the Council of Ministers on the establishment of the National Oncology Institute, one of the most important reforms in the field of oncology.
"The National Oncology Institute will be a university structure, a scientific research unit, a national reference center for tumor diseases and the coordinator of the National Oncology Network. Its creation constitutes an important step towards building a modern, integrated and standardized system of oncology care in the country", said Minister Sala.
She emphasized that in parallel, the National Oncology Network is being built, with the aim of ensuring that patients have access to coordinated care and services according to the same standards throughout the country.
In support of this reform, the minister also presented the innovations of the 2026 List of Reimbursable Medicines, which includes 55 new commercial alternative medicines and 27 new active principles, significantly expanding treatment options for patients with tumoral, hematological diseases, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases and other pathologies with high health impact.
Particularly in the field of oncology, the inclusion of innovative therapies creates better treatment options and increases Albanian patients' access to modern medicines. For 2026, an additional 1.5 billion lek will be allocated for innovative oncology medicines, increasing the total budget for medicines by 16% compared to 2025.
Minister Sala also announced that the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs is investing in expanding diagnostic and treatment capacities, where the third Linear Accelerator has already been put into operation, while the installation of the fourth Linear Accelerator is planned for this year. Also, in cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, PET Scanner and Brachytherapy services are expected to be offered within the year.
Another strategic priority presented during the meeting was pharmaceutical reform, concretized through the draft law "On Medical Products for Human Use", which represents the most profound reform of the pharmaceutical sector in Albania.
The draft law aims to fully harmonize Albanian legislation with the European Union Directive 2001/83 and to create a modern, transparent and predictable regulatory system. In the coming weeks, it will be subject to public consultation, in an inclusive process with all stakeholders in the sector.
According to Minister Sala, the new law will guarantee greater safety, quality and access to innovative therapies for patients, strengthen the regulatory framework for healthcare professionals and create a more stable and competitive environment for the pharmaceutical industry. A key element of the reform will be the strengthening of the pharmacovigilance system and the capacities of the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.
During the meeting with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce, Minister Sala also shared the Ministry's progress in the process of digitizing the healthcare system, emphasizing that from August 1, public hospitals will operate electronically.
This process aims to build an integrated system, where digital platforms communicate with each other, improving care coordination, referrals, information exchange, and the use of data for health policy planning and monitoring.
In conclusion, Minister Sala praised the role of the business and industry community in supporting reforms, emphasizing that continuous dialogue with partners remains essential for building a modern, sustainable and harmonized healthcare system with European Union standards.
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