Barnas that store junk inside QKUK

Radio Free Europe, during a visit to the Society's Clinic on February 22nd, has seen drugs used to treat cystic fibrosis, located inappropriately in a cabinet for conducting tests.

Such grass has been on the floor, in part of a closet, and in a small food refrigerator.

Kosovo's Pharmacotic Clinic Director Shqipe Fetah, who accompanied the REL team, said medical products at QKUKU, in general, are maintained to standards.

But, according to her, improvements are necessary in several departments including the cabinet, where the drugs for cystic fibrosis are given to a genetic disease that affects primarily the respiratory and digestive systems.

“Should initially add inventory or shelves to store products stored at room temperature. Then there is a need for a medical refrigerator, and also the thermo-heigrometer that monitors temperature and humidity”, Fetah said.

The department's environments where the cabinet is located to treat cystic fibrosis are heated through the central heating system. There is no temperature repair mechanism for heating control.

According to official statistics, there are about 120 patients diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in Kosovo. The barrier to this disease, they must use them throughout their lives.

These drugs have long been included in the essential list, but their distribution to KKUK began in November last year. Until then, patients have provided themselves out of Kosovo, sometimes through donations.

Lindita Lett, who has a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, says she is satisfied with the services at the Paddyr, but on the matter of saving drugs, says she needs to be more careful.

I'm surprised when I left and saw all the Creons on the ground last time. I saw them give it to me from the fridge. Conditions are not what they should be. It's not okay. But, we can't interfere with clinic work or” department, Letty tells Radio Free Europe.

Paddy Clinic Director Violet Graychev insists that drugs given to patients with cystic fibrosis are properly preserved.

For those drugs we've applied for medical refrigerators, to be in more optimum conditions, even though they're now in optimum conditions”, Gajchev says of Radio Free Europe.

THE REL made an effort to negotiate with nurses who deliver these drugs without success.

In Kosovo, there is the Association for Favorite Persons with Stistic Fibroza. Its leader, Ismet Jahyr, tells Radio Free Europe that the distribution of medicines for the disease began in late 2022.

Until then, according to him, a patient had to spend up to 1,500 euros a month on these drugs.

“Barnat offered for patients [at QKUK] is given to us by packages that are placed on the floor, while the most sensitive ones we get from the fridge”, Jahir says of Radio Free Europe.

According to health professionals, if drugs are not stored properly, they can become less effective, or in some cases toxic.

Family members of patients with cystic fibrosis are also concerned about the absence of a special department for them.

For the time being, these patients are admitted to rooms where other patients are found.

We are waiting a few months for the cystic fibrosis department to open and it is not opening”, says Father and Rama, who also has a child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.

Paddy Clinic Director Violet Graychev confirms about The REL that all plans have been made to open cystic fibrosis department, but does not specify when it will open.