"From the monitoring of health institutions, it results that there are no complaints against corruption in the health sector." This finding comes from a monitoring report conducted by the organization "Together for Life" on the mechanisms used for complaints against corruption in the health sector in Albania.
The report shows that formal anti-corruption structures that exist on paper are merely decorative, as citizens often do not file formal complaints even when public perception of corruption in healthcare is very high.
This is seen as an indication of silence out of fear, mistrust or lack of information, the report emphasizes.
"It appears that there is no specific corruption registry administered by this institution," The report for the Ministry of Health and Social Protection states that during the period January-December 2024 there were no complaints about bribery or corruption in healthcare.
According to the report, there was no case of reporting at the "Shefqet Ndroqi" university hospital, either through written or electronic means.
"This situation highlights several possibilities such as the real lack of corruption in the sector, the lack of information about reporting mechanisms and relevant units, the lack of trust in the impartiality and independence of these units, as well as the fear of retaliation after reporting or receiving whistleblower status.", the report emphasizes
The Institute of Public Health has also reported the same, stating that "There have been no complaints regarding corruption in the health sector." By then delegating the right to be informed to another institution such as the responsible directorate in the Ministry of State for Public Administration and Anti-Corruption.
Even at the University Trauma Hospital, there is no data on the number of complaints filed, just as it is difficult, according to the report, to identify them even through the registers published on the institution's official website.
No complaints or denunciations of corruption were reported at the Elbasan Psychiatric Hospital, even though this institution, according to the report, has established an internal committee for managing complaints.
The situation is the same for the Healthcare Service Operator (HSO).
"There has been no registered request-complaint regarding allegations of bribery/corruption at this institution," the report states.
The Mandatory Health Insurance Fund (FSDKSh), on the other hand, has claimed the lack of a dedicated structure for complaints against corruption. It has stated that complaints are received by mail or e-mail and are delegated to the relevant directorates.
There have been no complaints or denunciations of corruption and bribery at the Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital "Koço Gliozheni", the Shkodra Regional Hospital and the National Agency for Medicines and Medical Devices.
The report highlights that in some of the monitored institutions there is an overlap of functions between corruption reporting units and the Anti-Corruption Coordinator.
"This situation has created uncertainty over the reporting hierarchy, the procedural ways of administering complaints, and the decision-making authority for addressing them.", the report specifies.
In other institutions, the units established to receive and handle complaints against corruption are at a formal level, without having appointed staff.
While in many others, public complaint registers are lacking, making them inaccessible and non-transparent for citizens, the report emphasizes.
Public perception of corruption in healthcare
A study conducted by "Together for Life" to measure citizens' perception of corruption in healthcare, more than 8 in 10 people are convinced that the healthcare system in Albania is corrupt.
"The perception is similar among both men and women, which shows that the experience of corruption is not determined by gender, but affects the entire population equally," the study report determines.
"I paid for a consultation, because the date given by the neighborhood doctor was 1 month away and I was scheduled for surgery. I needed the consultation's answer and the doctor wouldn't take me on, but as soon as I paid, he saw me right away.", said one of the citizens who participated in the survey.
The report highlights that respondents expressed that they had to pay in advance for a faster and better quality medical service, which in principle should be offered to citizens free of charge at no additional cost.
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Erisa Kryeziu has completed higher studies in Journalism and Communication and Master of Science in Public Relations at the University of Tirana. She has been a journalist and project manager at Citizens.al for five years, where she reports on social issues and human rights, especially on issues of rights at work, in education, gender equality, marginalized groups, people with disabilities such as and for environmental issues. At the same time, she works as a project coordinator with a focus on youth and media education. User of new reporting techniques such as "Mobile Journalism" and citizen engagement tools in reporting (ECR-Engage Citizens Journalism).
