In all, only 48 anesthesiologists, the director of the clinic says at least 100 are needed

Only 48 anesthesiologists are at the University Clinical Centre in Kosovo (QKUK), which are engaged in several clinics, while the need is 100 sosh. So said Anesthesiology Clinic and Intensive Medicine Director Gazmend Spahia

He has said that during the past year there have been no escape from anesthesiologists but that some of them have been employed by the private sector.

We have 48 anesthesiologists currently employed at the University Clinical Centre in Kosovo. This clinic has been having its problems for years because of a lack of anesthesiologists. But according to our Clinic estimates, it was supposed to be at least 100 anesthesiologists to cover all units that require assistance from anesthesiologist”, Spahija said, while mentioning the evacuation of nurses mainly abroad.

During the year 2023, fortunately we haven't had an anesthesiologist's escape, we've had five admissions of three colleagues who have returned from the private sector and one who has conducted a professional exam successfully and has already been admitted. As for the nurses, we've had the escape of nurses who've mostly come out for family reunion some even for employment abroad”, he told EO.

The wide range of anesthesiologists ' services has led to much engagement. In addition to their service in MIQ, they engage in several other clinics.

Our “Klinika performs services in several entities, meaning a clinic that has distributed services. We have services in gynecology, Orthopedic, Cardiosurgy, but recently the Clinical Center has increased the number of services that require an anesthesiologist's assistance. It means we as anesthesiologist deal with the treatment of intra-activial patients, but at the same time we have requests, and we assist in non-operative units, units that need assistance from anesthesiologist”, Spahija said.

Although working conditions are good for them, Spahija considers the lack of staff a challenge. In addition to the lack of anesthesiologists, there is a shortage of average staff, since 195 nurses are in the clinic, counting on support personnel.

“As far as working conditions are concerned, we have good conditions that were offered by the directorate and the MS. The only challenge is lack of staff, mostly anesthesiologists, but we also lack middle staff means nurses. Requests have also been made when an anesthesiologist who is willing to be employed at QKUK is notified, then a competition will also be opened for them. It means that it's not a problem, now we expect acceptance of young nurses, since we know that the competition for new nurses is only under way, and we expect some of the nurses at our clinic”, Spahija told EO.