For twenty-one consecutive years, Afërdita Dida from Kukës has traveled three times a week to Prizren to undergo hemodialysis sessions — a life-saving treatment for her. According to Dida, this entire period has passed with care and dedication from the staff of the General Hospital of Prizren, despite conditions that were once less than ideal. However, the situation has significantly changed today. Renovations carried out in this ward have enabled higher-quality services for patients and better working conditions for healthcare staff.

Dida, who travels in a van provided by the Albanian state, expresses great satisfaction with the care and the current facilities of the dialysis unit. She is not alone — there are sixteen other Albanian citizens who also receive dialysis treatment in Prizren.

“Twenty-one years here, don’t worry, we’ve been treated very well by the nurses and doctors… I’ve had a great experience over these 21 years… They’ve respected us… We are brought here by van, paid by the state… In Kukës, there’s no facility that can provide dialysis treatment,” she says.

Besides patients from Albania, a significant number of local residents also undergo hemodialysis each week. One of them is Agron Tarjani from Prizren, who for the past eight years has traveled from the village of Pirana for this treatment.

“We’re doing very well, it’s been eight years… The staff is excellent, the workers are great, everything is going smoothly… I come three times a week from Pirana, Prizren… [Has the treatment been made easier for you?] Very much so, it’s a well-placed investment, and I thank the investor for making it happen,” he states.

According to the head of the Hemodialysis Unit, Rexhep Hapçiu, the unit currently treats 214 patients from the municipality and surrounding areas of Prizren.

Additionally, seventeen patients from Kukës are regularly treated at this center.

To meet growing needs, a satellite center has also been opened in Rahovec, where eighteen more patients receive dialysis.

“The Hemodialysis Unit provides services to 214 patients from the Municipality of Prizren. These patients come from Prizren and surrounding areas… Plus, we have 17 patients coming from the Kukës region, from the Republic of Albania. Currently, we also have 18 patients receiving dialysis at the satellite center we’ve opened in Rahovec, for patients from the Municipality of Rahovec… During the summer season, we also treat our compatriots from abroad who are on dialysis — between 30 to 50 patients come from June to September. Annually, we conduct up to 34,000 dialysis sessions,” he says.

According to the head of the Hemodialysis Unit at the General Hospital of Prizren, the ward currently has 46 functional machines and the same number of beds.

Moreover, the supply of medications is stable, and there have been no reported difficulties in providing treatment.

“They have completely renovated three rooms, the hallways, and the bathrooms — the only project left is a small one to improve the courtyard and the exterior façade… The support has been tremendous. Cleanliness is at a different level now — the rooms used to be tiled, now they are coated with epoxy, which is more hygienic and less prone to bacterial contamination… Currently, we have three rooms — one has 18 beds, another has 18, and the third has 10, totaling 46. We have 46 machines and 46 beds. At the moment, the dialysis unit is operating smoothly. Patients are provided with medications and there have been no issues with dialysis,” says nephrologist Hapçiu.

Chief nurse Valmir Avdaj also confirms that the new conditions have significantly improved the quality of services — both for patients and the medical staff.

“These new conditions have greatly facilitated the services for patients, in terms of the environment and service quality. Secondly, for nurses as well — now we work in much more modern and hygienic conditions. Now it’s up to us to remain in service to the patients… Currently, our team includes thirty nurses, four of whom are working in the dialysis center in Rahovec,” he highlights. This transformation of the Hemodialysis Unit at the Prizren Hospital has been made possible thanks to the investment of the Sopaj family.