In a statement heavy with promises for QSUT, Prime Minister Edi Rama said the hospital’s needs should no longer be subject to budget limits, while also floating two other major ideas: a partnership for hospital management and the creation of a private unit within it. The remarks were made during an inspection of the new Cardiac Surgery facilities, in a visit where the government emphasized investment and the reorganization of services.
Visit to Cardiac Surgery and focus on investment
According to the official version, Rama and Minister of Health and Social Welfare Klodiana Spahiu closely reviewed the capacities of the new Cardiac Surgery structure at QSUT, as well as the infrastructure works that have been carried out.
This package of changes also included the creation of a room dedicated to sterile procedures, with the aim that these procedures would no longer be performed in intensive care. The government presents this as an improvement in service organization.
Promise for the 2027 budget
The strongest political part of the statement came from the prime minister, who said QSUT should no longer face budget limits in meeting its needs and that these should be addressed through the 2027 budget.
For now, this remains a publicly declared ambition, not a detailed decision with figures, implementation deadlines, or a clear financial plan made public.
Financial autonomy and plan for management with a partner
Another announced point is QSUT’s financial autonomy, which according to the government will take effect next year. Rama also linked this process to negotiations for a partnership with another well-known structure, without making its name public.
According to him, the model under discussion foresees not only professional cooperation among doctors, but also interaction in hospital management. So far, the terms of this partnership, the criteria, the cost, and the way it will affect public service have not been made public.
New parking, cars removed from hospital grounds, and a private unit inside the hospital
Rama also said that with the completion of the 1,400-space parking facility at the entrance, cars will be removed from the hospital grounds. According to him, around 900 spaces are currently occupied by staff, while the other 500 spaces will serve as secondary income for the hospital.
He also said the hospital grounds are intended to be turned into a park within two years. Alongside this, the construction of a private unit inside the hospital was also mentioned as part of the plan, where doctors would work in parallel and secure additional income. This is one of the points that raises the most questions about the boundary between public service and private activity inside a university hospital.
Ceremony of recognition for doctors
During the visit, Minister Klodiana Spahiu and the prime minister handed out certificates of recognition to several doctors and lecturers who have served over the years in these structures.
The certificates were presented to Edmond Kapedani, Aurora Knuti, Efrosina Kajo, Arben Baboçi, Ajli Alushani and Ali Refatllari, in a ceremony that accompanied the presentation of the government’s plan for QSUT.
Beyond the promises of investment and standards of excellence, what remains unclear is how these initiatives will be implemented financially and administratively, especially when the same package includes the public budget, financial autonomy, a management partnership, and a private unit inside the hospital.
So far, the government has announced the political direction of the plan, but not the full mechanisms that would make it measurable for patients and medical staff.