On 13 July 2026, the SOLIDAR Project launched in an orientation workshop a new pilot initiative focused on strengthening the quality of emergency medical services in primary healthcare. The 12-month pilot is intended to develop, test, and refine a practical model for the continuous improvement of emergency care provided by 24/7 primary healthcare centres.

The workshop brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the Health Care Services Operator, the Authority for Quality Assurance in Health and Social Care, the National Emergency Medical Centre, and the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund. Representatives from Regional Health Directorates and Local Health Care Units also took part, alongside managers and healthcare professionals from the three pilot health centres in Vorë, Belsh, and Fushë-Arrëz.

Participants explored how the continuous quality improvement approach will be applied throughout the pilot. Discussions focused on institutional cooperation, monitoring service quality, and developing indicators and reporting tools to track progress across the three health centres.

The workshop also created space for healthcare professionals and institutional representatives to share practical experience, identify challenges, and reflect on the realities of delivering emergency care at the primary healthcare level. These perspectives will help shape a model that is realistic, workable, and responsive to the needs of both healthcare providers and patients.

A central focus of the pilot is the stronger use of data to support decision-making and identify areas where services can be improved. By introducing a structured process for reviewing performance, addressing gaps, and monitoring progress, the initiative aims to strengthen accountability and embed continuous quality improvement within daily healthcare practice.

The pilot will be implemented through close cooperation among the participating institutions. The experience and lessons generated over the next 12 months will inform future efforts to strengthen and institutionalise quality improvement mechanisms across Albania’s primary healthcare system.