Tel. +355 (0) 42 35 75 35    -    Kontakt    -               
American Hospital
  • Medical Departments
  • Doctors
  • Locations
  • Updates
  • Patient Resources
  • About Us
    • Chairman
    • Human Resources
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • AlbanianAlbanian
  • Medical Departments
  • Doctors
  • Locations
  • Updates
  • Patient Resources
  • About Us
    • Chairman
    • Human Resources
    • FAQ
    • Contact
  • AlbanianAlbanian

American Hospital CEO interview in Die Welt magazine

By Spitali Amerikan - News

A 24-page special business report on Albania was published in Germany’s Die Welt newspaper on June 4th, 2019, featuring a wide assortment of news, analysis and interviews with corporate and government leaders.
This special explores Albania’s untapped potential in sectors including tourism, energy and agriculture presents a unique opportunity in the European market.
Part of the publication was an interview of American Hospital CEO, Mr. Klodian Allajbeu, who talked about the potential of health tourism developed in Albania and the benefits that this industry may bring for the country in the upcoming years.

INTERVIEW
Klodian Allajbeu
CEO, American Hospital Albania

The American Hospital of Albania was established in December 2006 as the first private hospital in Albania. The hospital started its activity serving patients with cardiac problems inside and outside of Albania, and the percentage of patients leaving Albania to get treatment abroad declined by 85 percent in the first year alone. Since then, it has expanded its focuses and specialties and expanded its presence in both Albania and Kosovo. Its next major goal is health tourism. Already, several medical procedures including successful IVF treatments are attracting people from all around Europe, but over the next five years it intends to further focus on growing that sector

The American Hospital of Albania has grown significantly over the last 12 years. Could you walk us through its history and development?

American Hospital was established in 2006 out of the necessity to provide more services than were being offered in Albania at the time. The public Albanian health care system could not fulfill the needs of Albanian citizens and most of them were traveling to the nearest countries for possible solutions to their issues. At the time, we also had visa limitations, which even further narrowed the possible selection of hospitals. Most patients were traveling to Turkey, where no visa was needed, and mostly for heart issues, which is a very time-sensitive treatment. However, Albanian citizens faced big difficulties there, from the language to being foreign and not fully understanding procedures and manners, to the lack of post-operation follow up.

In the beginning, our focus was cardiology and cardiac-surgery to fulfill the existing gap and the immediate need for this medical service. We had international doctors combined with the best locals and technology available at the time. In less than a year after the inauguration, we had our first big success: our team performed a myocardial surgery and coronary angiogram for the first time in Albania’s history. Since then, we have performed more than 9,500 successful open heart surgeries. Albanians do not need to travel anymore.

We had another success story in our first year – the first kidney transplant ever done in Albania. Now, we have done more than 80 successful kidney transplants and have three dialysis centers with 381 occupancy spaces. If you think that 15 years ago, patients with renal insufficiency were predestined to die or at least live in another country, American Hospital in collaboration with the Albanian state institutions has made it possible for these patients to extend their longevity far beyond previous expectations.

In 2009 and 2010, we expanded within the country. Fier and Durres, two of the largest cities in Albania, were chosen for American Medical Diagnostic Centers. In 2011, we inaugurated our second hospital in Tirana, focused on gynecology and in vitro treatments. Our IVF department has the highest success rate in the region and now has patients from all over Europe. We have set records in the field, with the oldest Italian patient, who at 62-years-old managed to have a successful pregnancy and baby with the help of the Albanian IVF team. In 2012, we continued to expand – opening our hospital in Pristina, Kosovo because Albanians there were facing the same problems that Albania had been previously. In 2013, our team performed the first successful liver transplant in Albania on a 34-year-old patient. Then, in 2017, we inaugurated our third and biggest hospital in Tirana – American Hospital 3, a 25.000 m2 space with more than 100 private patient rooms, with five operating theaters and a very modern intensive care unit.

American Laboratory Network, ALNET, is part of our success story. As a hospital, we know the importance of a laboratory and the need to have accuate analysis. A proper diagnose is the first step to proper health solutions. With the widest range of medical lab exams, our laboratory network is the only one in Albania certified by ISO15189.

Another one of our points of pride is the Oculist Center, the only one in the country that can perform corneal transplants and treat eye cataract issues, damaged retina, glaucoma and more.

Today, thanks to very intensive work, American Hospital is the most powerful private health institution in the market and fulfills all the needs of Albanian citizens and others.

Today, thanks to very intensive work, American Hospital is the most powerful private health institution in the market and fulfills all the needs of Albanian citizens and others
As CEO of the American Hospital, describe your main challenges so far in this role and priorities for the upcoming year.

As a CEO and managing director, I have dealt with many challenges. To begin, we had to gain the trust of our patients and the trust of government institutions. We also had to build a strong and sustainable brand and revolutionize the health care system, which was all managed successfully thanks to the hard work of our people.

Our priorities for the upcoming years are to improve our services and become better. Concretely, we want to gain accreditation from the Joint Commission International (JCI) and become a reference point for healthcare systems in the region.

American Hospital was funded by the Southeast Europe Equity Fund II (SEEF II) and received investment from foreign investors including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. How was this investment mutually beneficial for both Albania and investors?

In Albania, our hospital was a pioneer of the private health care system and modernized the whole industry. We have more than 2,700 professional health care staff and we are now one of the biggest employers in the country. We have eased the lives of our citizens and brought into the country the best international expertise, from whom the local staff has been trained and learned. This investment has certainly proved to be beneficial for both our country and the fund.

In 2018, the American Hospital acquired Greece-based Hygeia Group’s Albanian centers for €1 million plus the liabilities of the hospital. What are your thoughts on the importance of that move?

In 2008, the opportunity to acquire Hygeia Hospital was presented to us. The Hygeia hospital was not performing well financially, and the shareholders wanted to leave. We had a success story of our own in terms of hospital management and felt we were well equipped to manage this big investment. So, together with the board we took the opportunity and used it in our favor. The Hygeia Hospital, now called the International Hospital, is part of the American Hospital Group. This move strengthens our position in the market.

Our vision and strategy for American Hospital for the next five years is to focus on health tourism
Travel and tourism is a $1.24-billion industry in Albania and is growing by 6 percent annually. It is expected to become a $2.1 billion industry by 2028. What are your thoughts on the potential for developing medical tourism as a niche segment?

Our vision and strategy for American Hospital for the next five years is to focus on health tourism and the opportunity that this industry offers. American Hospital has expanded during the last years and now, we can cover not only the needs of Albanian people living in our country but also offer services for the whole region. We have witnessed continuous growth of European customers choosing Albania and our hospitals for specific treatments like IVF, plastic surgery, dental care and other orthopedic surgeries.

Why might a German tourist visiting Albania who has a medical issue choose this hospital?

A German citizen should consider and chose American Hospital for his or her medical treatments because we offer the best service in the country of all the private health institutions. We have the best doctors who use the latest technology. American Hospital complies with international standards and nothing differentiates us from any other hospital in Europe. Any patient that was treated in American Hospital would choose this institution again. We have a high satisfaction rate both with our local patients and those who come from abroad.

In 2017, The Tirana Chamber of Commerce and Industry awarded the hospital with a prize for leading the country in terms of quality, technology and professionalism. What do you think is behind your success?

Behind our success story are our people. Our doctors, nurses, staff and everyone who is dedicated to perfection and offering the best possible service. Another key to our success was that the investment was made at the right time and with the right resources so that now we can provide local solutions with the latest technology. Behind our success is the commitment that we made 12 years ago to offer Albanian patients a correct and professional private health care system.

“Our health care services are up to international standards but with lower and more acceptable costs”

American Hospital is composed of both local and foreign experts. Are there opportunities to increase collaboration with German doctors?

That is true, our hospital has an international staff with Greek, Italian, Turkish, American and Austrian doctors. We did, in fact, have a German surgeon as well for a few years. We are always seeking opportunities to expand our collaboration network and bring in new experts from all over the world. The opportunity to collaborate with German doctors was narrow, but it’s something that we are inquiring into and exploring.

What would your final message be to our German audience?

Our goal and strategy for American Hospital for the upcoming years is health tourism. We invite the German audience to visit Albania for its beautiful nature, the mountains and the blue seaside, for the traditional food, for the hospitality, which is one of our great assets, and also consider our health care service for specific treatments, which are up to international standards but with lower and more acceptable costs.

 

The original article can be found in this link ONLINE.

IVF in the American Hospital fulfills the dream.

IVF in the American Hospital fulfills the dream.

By Spitali Amerikan - News

Albania is becoming a health tourism destination for European citizens, who are choosing to trust their health and medical issues to American Hospital.

Successes in In Vitro Fertilization bring little angels to the wings of the couple who had long dreamed of the miracle.
The Department of Reproductive Medicine and In Vitro Fertilization at the American Hospital counts consecutive records in In Vitro Fertilization. Records and success stories that have surpassed Albania’s borders, encouraging more and more foreign patients to trust us. The trust is not by chance, but the result of the high professionalism, specialized medical staff and a modern IVF lab that offers the latest technology.

In collaboration with prestigious European clinics, the American Hospital IVF department makes use of Time-Lapse technology, which has significantly increased the chances of successful pregnancy, we are one out of five clinics in the Balkans to offer this technology.

Time-Lapse has allowed scientists to better understand embryo development by significantly simplifying embryologist work in selecting embryos with better implantation potential. In the classical (old) technique, embryos should be extracted from the incubator to be analyzed in the microscope. With Time-Lapse embryos do not leave from incubators, thus avoiding potential damages. Time-Lapse data is not only a picture frame, but a complete embryo film that helps doctors see in detail all the morphological parameters and the change that it has with the passing of days until it is transferred to the mother’s womb. All of this procedure provides the highest probability of success in a Fertilization In Vitro cycle.

The high percentage of success rate in the region has made the American Hospital’s Fertility Center to become the first choice for all local and foreign patients who consider this procedure.

Based on Fertilization In Vitro Statistics, 80% of pregnancies are successful, for ages over 30 years the success rate is 62%, while for those over 40 years old it reaches 46%.

In American Hospital, patients are subject to a personalized IVF treatment, which is determined based on the long-standing experience of team combined with the latest achievements in Assisted Reproduction science.

Success is achieved by those who believe, and the Fertility Center at the American Hospital is the way to fulfill a family’s dream of embracing their little angel.

What can Albania offer the medical tourist

By Spitali Amerikan - News

Albania is not known as a medical travel destination, however some private healthcare groups in the country are now investing heavily in quality and branding to attract foreign patients. Maria D. Georga, Laing Buisson Regional Manager, has visited Albania to find out why international patients might be persuaded to come.

There were very few medical travellers to Albania in 2017; some sources suggest it was barely more than 700.
Attracted primarily because it is the cheapest country in the Balkans for healthcare, these few patients generally travel from Kosovo and Montenegro. Common treatments include cosmetic surgery, dental and orthopaedic surgery, however Albania’s private hospitals also offer foreign patients cardiovascular surgery, laparoscopic surgeries, and treatments for fertility and obesity. There is also a developing market for spa and health tourism.

Developing private healthcare

Most healthcare is still state-run, however newer private hospitals and clinics have set up outpatient services in major cities. These tend to offer high tech treatment and diagnostic services, and are well organised and funded. All dental clinics are privately owned, and recently a number of these clinics have noticed an increase in Italian patients.

The first private hospital to be set up in Albania was The American Hospital of America  (Spitali Amerikan) in 2006, with financial support from a variety of US, European and international organisations. It has since built a reputation as a leading player in the development of the private healthcare sector in Albania.
In November 2018, The American Hospital was the main sponsor of the 4th International Multidisciplinary Medical Congress in Tirana. This congress brought together healthcare professionals from across both Albania and several other countries to exchange knowledge about innovations in healthcare; improving quality assurance; and developing medical tourism in the country.

Dr Klodian Allajbeu, CEO of The American Hospital, said “As the first big private hospital investment in Albania, we had to recruit doctors from other countries. We came to this decision not only because we could not find doctors in our country but mainly because we wanted to bring in high expertise.”
For a number of years, the hospital had so many Albanian patients that they did not actively target the international patient market. Following two private hospital acquisitions in 2018, capacity has expanded and the group has now made attracting medical travellers a priority for the next five years.
According to Dr. Allajbeu, the Albanian government is generally supportive of private healthcare institutions and healthcare legislation is flexible, particularly in areas like fertility treatment.

Medical tourism potential

Despite its low profile in international healthcare, Albania is attractive for tourists. International flights connect Tirana airport with most destinations. The city reflects the various waves of immigration over the last 20-30 years, and Albanians returning to their home country have adopted business ideas, architectural styles and expertise in many areas. Tirana has become a modern city, where English is widely spoken, tourism infrastructure is good, and foreign visitors will have a comfortable and safe stay.
As an easy next step in attracting more medical travellers, there is potential for Albania to target the significant first- and second-generation diaspora, who moved out of the country in the 1990s. Based in many European countries like Greece, Italy, the UK and Germany, they still keep in close contact with their country of origin, which they often visit.
Although there is no evidence of central government support to promote medical travel to Albania, the private healthcare sector seems to be taking action. Albania could make an appealing medical travel destination for patients, particularly for those who are looking for low cost solutions.

Success of the Ist International Medical Multidisciplinary Congress

Success of the Ist International Medical Multidisciplinary Congress

By Spitali Amerikan - News

For the first time in Albania, the International Medical Multidisciplinary Congress was held on “Continuing Education by Medical Professionals” organized by the American Hospital.

More than 12 clinical sessions were discussed at this event, with well-defined focuses on the contemporary achievements in the modern medicine.

This event, the first of this dimension in its specifics and with a global involvement, brought in Tirana many well-known figures and eminences of health from different specialties of the world medicine.

More than 45 foreign and Albanian lecturers honored this important event with their participation, amongst whom Prof. Dr. Philip Caushaj (USA), Prof. Dr. Felice Giangasparo (ITALY), Prof. Dr. Ethem Beskonakli (TURKEY), Prof. Dr. Ulrich Rosendahl (GREAT BRITAIN), Prof. Dr. Josef Besik (CZECH REPUBLIC), Prof. Dr. Jurgen Ennker (GERMANY), Prof Dr Neyir Eren (TURKEY), Prof. Dr. Marco Jaccobbi (ITALY), Prof. Dr. Venanzio Valenzia (ITALY), Prof. Dr. Sadik Ersoz (TURKEY), Prof. Dr. Ugo de Santis (ITALY), Prof. Dr. Claus Boheim (AUSTRIA) and many others.

Well-known figures of medicine in Albania and Kosovo were granted Certificates of Gratitude in this event, for achievements and contributions in years, preparation of young generations of doctors, the dedication of their lives in service of patients and human values embodied by the professional doctor.

Over 500 doctors of various specialties from Albania, Kosovo and Macedonia participated and contributed to the exchange of experience and medical knowledge, encouraging one another in our common effort to fight the disease and save lives, turning this event in a wide Albanian Congress.

The American Hospital successfully operates for nine years, always keeping primarily the health of patients across the Albanian territories. The American Hospital is an Albanian-American investment of the Bedminster Capital Management fund and aims at providing quality health services through professional staff, selected locally and internationally, strongly supported by the most modern technology in the medical field.

The American Hospital decorated by the President of the Republic Mr. Bujar Nishani

The American Hospital decorated by the President of the Republic Mr. Bujar Nishani

By Spitali Amerikan - News

In appreciation of the great clinical and pedagogical contribution, and the maximal professional devotion in the field of surgery of transplants, realizing renal and hepatic interventions, tirelessly and with sacrifices, and as a sign of gratitude for the extraordinary professional devotion in the field of cardio surgery, in sharing and exchanging the rich scientific experience and realization of interventions impossible before for Albanian patients:

The President of the Republic, Mr. Bujar Nishani decorated Prof. Dr. Neyyir Tuncay Eren, cardio surgeon, for a very important contribution realizing the most difficult heart interventions, and for the first time realizing the coronarography and coronary artery revascularization in an acute condition of myocardial infarction – which was one of the most undisputed achievements of the cardio surgeons team. From born defects to valvular system problems; from aorta surgeries to bypasses; from aorta ascendens to femoral and carotide arteries, every cardiopathy that for 9 years have been treated by the talented team of the American Hospital.

The President Mr. Nishani decorated Prof. Dr. Seyit Mehmet Sadik Ersoz, a doctor of the American Hospital, who undertook a challenge for the Albanian medicine – the transplants of the Kidneys and Liver, realized for the first time in Albania. Today we count more than 80 transplants successfully performed by our team of surgeons and three centers of hemodialysis with a capacity of 381 beds, making the American Hospital the only center focused in the treatment of patients with renal insufficiency.

The American Hospital undertook to bring the Albanian patients what they deserved, that what is often sought outside Albania, what the Albanian medicine with all the talent and dedication of doctors, in the absence of conditions and technology, had not offered.

With the biggest and most important investment, the American Hospital, the First private hospital in Albania with the most advanced technology and specialized medical staff, brought the highest medical standards for Albanian patients.

Today, after 9 years, the hospital has 300 000 patients, who we are trying to hear the voice and become familiar with their requests one by one.

Kidney transplants in the American Hospital

Kidney transplants in the American Hospital

By Spitali Amerikan - News

For the first time in Albania, the American Hospital performs the kidney transplant. The team of doctors was composed of doctors from Turkey, USA, Austria and Albania. The first two transplants, performed in this hospital, were free of charge for the patients, although they are classified as operations with a very high cost. They were supported financially by the Albanian government, together with the Ministry of Defense and Health. The staff of professors in the operation was led by Prof. Dr. Ersoz Sadik, head of the Department of nephrology at the University of Ankara, and the chief of the Transplant Center at UA.

After the successful progress of the first two patients transplanted, the American Hospital undertook other 80 renal transplants with living donors, already based on the agreement with the Ministry of Health, under which the American Hospital undertakes the kidney transplant program, thus satisfying the need for patients to be transplanted in clinics abroad.

Patients underwent contemporary protocols defined by the collaboration of the entire team. The procedure conducted with the support of the Albanian Government continues to be monitored by the team and the American Hospital laboratory and it has all the attention of senior leaders of the American Hospital.

The key points enabling the American Hospital realize the transplant not performed before in Albania.

  • A unique laboratory that makes the compliance of the organs and the post-operation tracking of the patients.
  • A specialized team of surgeons with a lot of experience.
  • A team specialized for post-operation tracking of the patients, which is one of the most delicate of the entire program to avoid throwing of the organs by the patient.
  • Facilities and equipment necessary to perform the intervention (two rooms available for the intervention in the donor and recipient at the same time)
A unique woman health and fertility center of the American Hospital in the Balkans

A unique woman health and fertility center of the American Hospital in the Balkans

By Spitali Amerikan - News

Women and Fertility Center of the American Hospital offers a very wide and complete range of services, in terms of women’s health. We have not only the right team and the best doctors, but also the physical possibilities and the most advanced equipment. From pregnancy to birth, from the gynecological checkup to fertility problems, ranging from the simple gynecological problems to the cervical cancer.”

But the range of services provided by the Women and Fertility Centre at SA is spacious. Besides birth, every woman can handle different pathologies, conduct examinations to prevent serious diseases, such as uterine cervical cancer.

For several years, the American Hospital has restored hope for some couples, who have dreamed of having children. The talented team of doctors of the women and fertility center at the American Hospital, directed by Prof. Dr. Hakan Satiroglu, has recorded success stories in handling cases that were impossible until yesterday. The known Turkish professor says that having a child is not enough, because for a couple it is very important that the child is born healthy.

In Vitro fertilization for many couples has been the missing solution. Dr. Satiruglu is satisfied that thanks to the talented team and the modern facilities at the American Hospital, every couple can have its own child at the time it wants if they trust the work of his team.

The best team and the most advanced technology in neurosurgery in the American Hospital

The best team and the most advanced technology in neurosurgery in the American Hospital

By Spitali Amerikan - News

Determined to ensure the highest quality of care for patients in Albania, Kosovo and beyond, the American Hospital with a new team of neurosurgeon doctors have recently introduced the use of an advanced technological system, an image guided system for brain surgery; the epiduroscopic-endoscopic system for the management of the spinal pains, and not only.

The American Hospital neurosurgeons Prof. Dr. Ethem Beskonakli, Prof. Dr. Ozerk Okutan and Op. Dr. Baris Saygili specializing in surgery of the brain and spinal cord handle problems from the most simple to the most complicated ones. With services such as invasive spine surgeries without anesthesia with endoscopy-epiduroscopy, neuro-oncology, peripheral and neuro-vascular nerve surgery, our team offers a wide range of neurosurgical treatments, which will always be performed at the American Hospital.

According to Dr.Beskonakli, the team of neurosurgeons offers a comprehensive neurosurgical program in the Balkan region, Albania and Kosovo by providing a full range of services. The latest innovation in the neurosurgery program of the American Hospital is the neuro-navigator system (the guide of images), the latest equipment used in the procedure of brain surgery and spinal cord surgery.

Apart from this, Prof. Dr.Okutan and Dr.Saygili are specialized and oriented towards invasive most advanced treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) and back pains.

American Hospital. Leading private institution, with highest standards in medicine.

American Hospital. Leading private institution, with highest standards in medicine.

By Spitali Amerikan - News

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Tirana has appreciated the work by giving a special prize to the American Hospital, as a leader in the hospital service in the country, with national standards and not only, but also with the technology and high professionalism of its staff. Every day making improvements and advancements through research work and education.

Dr. Klodian Allajbeu, the General Director of the American Hospital, says that the hospital has been a new way for many surgical interventions performed for the first time in our country; the dream of transplants come true, and the opening of hospitals in and out of Tirana to the help of patients.

American Hospital is constantly working toward perfection for the service it provides. For more motivation and work that serves the daily purpose of tireless doctors to give life the value it deserves, for contributing to the education of a responsive and attentive society to the health and prevention in time.

This not only makes the American Hospital the first and only health facility in Albania certified for quality, but it also motivates us to run after other ongoing challenges to be always the first and best.

American Hospital, helping patients in need!

By Spitali Amerikan - News

Under the special auspices of the Minister of Social Welfare and Youth, Mr. Erion Veliaj, the American Hospital has cooperated to help the 19 year old boy Sebastian Sinomati, from the Development Center for persons with disabilities, Vlora.

Contacted by means of a letter from the director of this institution in Vlora, Mr. Viktor Lami, regarding the concerns for the health of Sebastian; Mr.Veliaj has addressed and trusted the American Hospital for the realization of this particular surgery, the corneal transplant.

Sebastian Sinomati, diagnosed with a genetic disease, called neurofibromatosis, a rare tumoral disease, which had damaged completely the vision in his right eye, underwent a week ago in the American Hospital an intervention of the corneal transplant in one of his eyes. Under the care and supervision of the ophthalmologist Dr. Teuta Haveri and the specialist staff of oculists, the corneal transplant was realized successfully and the patient’s sight has returned.

Since 2009, 30 corneal transplants have been successfully realized until now in the American Hospital. In the advanced phases of keratoconus, when cornea is almost in perforation (breaking) the corneal transplant is the only method that could save the eye.

Page 1 of 3123

Të Fundit

  • Medical tourism in Albania: Professionalism and hospitality
    Medical tourism in Albania: Professionalism and hospitality
    09/07/2021
  • ALNET COVID-19 Test Center in Tirana International Airport
    ALNET COVID-19 Test Center in Tirana International Airport
    18/05/2021
  • Basic protective measures against the new corona virus
    Basic protective measures against the new corona virus
    11/03/2020
  • Medical Tourism – American Hospital
    Medical Tourism – American Hospital
    21/10/2019
  • Laparoscopic myomectomy at American Hospital
    Laparoscopic myomectomy at American Hospital
    23/09/2019
  • American Hospital CEO interview in Die Welt magazine
    American Hospital CEO interview in Die Welt magazine
    05/06/2019
  • Perfect body before summer – American Hospital
    Perfect body before summer – American Hospital
    03/05/2019
  • American Hospital – Vision and Growth. Blackmail, a bad media practice in Albania.
    American Hospital – Vision and Growth. Blackmail, a bad media practice in Albania.
    05/04/2019
  • IVF in the American Hospital fulfills the dream.
    IVF in the American Hospital fulfills the dream.
    14/03/2019
  • What can Albania offer the medical tourist
    What can Albania offer the medical tourist
    11/02/2019
© American Hospital sh.a. Të gjitha të drejtat e rezervuara. - Politikat e privatësisë