On 25–26 May 2026, the SOLIDAR “Together in Health Emergencies” Project conducted a series of follow-up field visits to Tepelenë Municipality Hospital, Përmet Municipality Hospital, and the 24/7 Health Center of Këlcyrë to support emergency care quality and the digital transformation of primary healthcare, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen emergency medical services in Albania. The visits brought together representatives of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the Health Care Services Operator (OSHKSH), local healthcare professionals, and the SOLIDAR Project team. SOLIDAR – Together in Health Emergencies is a project by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) / Swiss Embassy in Albania and implemented by GFA Consulting Group GmbH.
The activities focused on sustaining the progress achieved through earlier investments under Outcome 2 of the SOLIDAR Project, which aims to strengthen emergency medical services. During meetings with management teams and healthcare professionals, participants reviewed how emergency care services are being delivered, discussed local challenges and continuity of care, and identified areas where further improvements are needed.

Strengthening Frontline Emergency Skills 

A key part of the visits was the presentation and distribution of practical reference materials developed following the Advanced Emergency Medicine Training Programme delivered by the Swiss Foundation for Innovation. Between May and December 2025, the programme trained 142 doctors and nurses from target 24/7 health centres and municipal hospitals in internationally recognised approaches to cardiac and trauma emergencies, including immediate life support and international trauma life support. In emergency care, equipment is essential, but it is the confidence and preparedness of trained staff that often determine how quickly and effectively a patient is treated. This readiness depends on regular practice, clear procedures, and familiarity with the right steps before an emergency occurs. To support the continued use of these competencies in daily practice, SOLIDAR distributed Albanian-language emergency algorithms for the management of acute cardiac and trauma cases. Each institution also received a copy of the latest edition of International Trauma Life Support for Emergency Care Providers, 9th Edition. This internationally recognised reference book provides frontline health professionals with practical guidance for managing a wide range of emergency situations.

Bringing Digital Reporting to Primary Care 

At the 24/7 Health Centre in Këlcyrë, the visit also included the delivery, configuration, and testing of three tablet computers to support the digital reporting of emergency medical activities. The tablets are part of SOLIDAR’s broader effort to modernise emergency data reporting at the primary healthcare level. In close cooperation with the National Health Insurance Fund, the project upgraded the national digital emergency reporting module and trained healthcare professionals from all 12 target 24/7 health centres in its use.
The tablets are expected to improve the accessibility, timeliness, and accuracy of emergency data reporting. They will enable healthcare providers to record emergency visits more efficiently and contribute to stronger evidence-based planning and management of emergency services.
The visit also provided an opportunity to review digital reporting procedures, gather feedback from healthcare staff, and assess the progress made since the completion of the digitalisation activities. Better data is not an end in itself. It helps emergency services identify where cases are concentrated, where resources are under pressure, and where future investment is most needed.
Behind the emergency algorithms, reference materials, and digital tools lies one clear objective: to ensure that when the next emergency reaches a health facility in Tepelenë, Përmet, or Këlcyrë, patients receive care from a service that is better prepared, better equipped, and better connected than before.