High-level visit marks progress toward improved cardiac care in Kosovo

A high-level visit took place on 6 August 2025 at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, focusing on the ongoing works for the establishment of a new catheterisation laboratory (CathLab) at the Cardiology Clinic in Pristina.

The visit was led by high-level representatives of the government of Kosovo, including the Prime Minister Mr. Albin KURTI and the Minister of Health Mr. Arben VITIA. They were joined by His Excellency Mr. Eric DIETZ, chargé d’affaires e.p., Embassy of Luxembourg in Pristina, the new Resident Representative of LuxDev in Kosovo, Mr. Giovanni TORDINI, and the project’s Chief Technical Advisor, Mrs. Aferdita ADEMI-OSMANI.

The new CathLab in Pristina is part of the broader Health support programme in Kosovo – Phase II, a project financed by the government of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and LuxDev. This initiative aims to expand access to high-quality, life-saving healthcare services, particularly in the area of cardiovascular disease — one of the leading causes of death both globally and in Kosovo.

During the visit, Prime Minister KURTI expressed his appreciation to the government of Luxembourg for its long-standing commitment to strengthening Kosovo’s health sector. He emphasised the crucial role that such investments play in improving the lives and well-being of citizens.

Mr. Eric DIETZ underlined that Luxembourg has been supporting the health sector in Kosovo for over two decades and reiterated the importance of providing advanced diagnostic and treatment services. 

He also noted that this new CathLab builds on last year’s successful installation of a similar facility in the General Hospital of Prizren. Since its opening in June 2024, that CathLab has already provided critical care to over 800 patients from the region. Mr. DIETZ further highlighted that Luxembourg’s development cooperation focuses on initiatives that deliver meaningful, measurable impact — not just in infrastructure, but in people’s lives. 

By improving access to quality healthcare, free of charge and closer to home, these projects reflect the shared priority of making essential services truly accessible to all.

With construction now well underway, the CathLab at the Cardiology Clinic in Pristina is expected to officially open later this year — another important step toward a stronger, more responsive healthcare system in Kosovo.

The Health support programme in Kosovo – Phase II is enhancing access to quality healthcare services at the general hospitals of Prizren and Gjilan, as well as the Cardiology Clinic at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo, by modernising and transforming service delivery through innovative approaches and advanced technologies. The project is co-funded by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and the Republic of Kosovo and is implemented by the Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.