Reshat Zajmi, a patient from the city of Peja, has been undergoing hemodialysis treatment for the past eight months, following the placement of heart stents. Since beginning this treatment, his health condition has significantly improved.

Previously, due to lack of space, this service was provided in three shifts, including evening hours. However, after renovations and expansion of capacities in the relevant ward of the General Hospital in Peja, 10 additional beds have been added, and now hemodialysis is carried out in just two shifts.

Patient Reshat Zajmi expressed gratitude for the care and professionalism of the medical staff, KosovaPress reports.

“As for the treatment, it’s praiseworthy in every way… It’s been eight months since I got the stents… (How are you feeling now?) The best I’ve felt. I’ve recovered. There’s no lack of care; they’re always there for us,” he said.

The medical director of the General Hospital in Peja, Besnik Ibraj, told KosovaPress that thanks to the renovated environment in the respective ward, around 50 hemodialysis sessions are currently performed daily.

He also emphasized that during the summer season, the number of patients seeking this treatment increases, due to the return of diaspora members who require hemodialysis while staying in Kosovo.”This year, the ward has been completely renovated; we now have a better and warmer environment, all in the service of the patients. Health capacities have also increased — at the moment, around 50 hemodialysis treatments are provided daily. The hemodialysis service is one of the vital services at our hospital, serving patients from the Peja region and nearby cities such as Klina, Istog, and Deçan… Additionally, during the summer months, the number of hemodialysis patients increases due to the large number of diaspora members returning from Western countries who receive services here,” he said.

Ibraj informed KosovaPress that there are currently 29 functional hemodialysis machines in the ward, of which four are dedicated exclusively to patients suffering from Hepatitis B.

He also highlighted that for patients from this region who depend on hemodialysis, the municipality has provided transport services, making it easier for them to access treatment.”Currently, due to increased capacity, we are operating in only two shifts, with 25 to 29 hemodialysis machines in function. These include four machines designated exclusively for patients who are HB positive and have been using these machines since the start of their treatment… Since hemodialysis patients are among the most sensitive and require quick, urgent, and continuous services, we are well-stocked with the consumable materials used for hemodialysis at the Peja hospital… The capacity has nearly doubled, as part of the ward that previously was not functional has now been fully renovated. Around 10 new beds have been added to the existing capacity,” said Ibraj.

The improvement of conditions in the hemodialysis ward at the General Hospital in Peja has also positively impacted the workload of the nursing staff.

The head nurse of the ward, Doruntina Thaçi, told KosovaPress that with the expansion of the space, patient accommodation has become significantly easier.

She noted that the two-shift operation of this service marks a major advancement, both for patients and the medical staff.”The hemodialysis ward currently operates in two shifts — a major relief for us, especially since we had been working in three shifts for a long time. It was difficult for us, but even more so for the patients, who had to come in at night, which was not convenient for them. Now, it’s much easier for both them and us,” emphasized head nurse Thaçi. The renovation cost for the hemodialysis ward at the General Hospital in Peja was 70,000 euros, allocated by the Kosovo University Clinical Hospital Service