Hundreds of lives saved thanks to new cardiac care services in Prizren

Cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in Kosovo, accounting for almost half of all fatalities. The opening of the CathLab in Prizren – the second largest public hospital in the country – marks a major milestone in addressing this challenge.

Before the CathLab, patients experiencing cardiac emergencies such as heart attacks or blocked arteries often faced long-distance travel or costly private care. Today, those in need of urgent cardiac intervention have access to timely, high-quality care closer to home.

Between June 2024 and June 2025, more than 700 lives were saved thanks to the timely diagnosis and treatment provided by the CathLab. Of these patients: 
 

Previously, many patients had no choice but to turn to the private sector, where the average cost for an angiography is around EUR 350, and for a stent procedure, about EUR 3,500. Based on these prices, the CathLab has helped patients avoid nearly EUR 1,000,000 in out-of-pocket expenses.

This represents a major advance not only in healthcare access but also in financial equity, especially for families who might otherwise struggle to afford life-saving treatment.

The CathLab in Prizren has also led to significantly shorter waiting times for cardiac interventions. Patients now receive care more quickly, reducing the risk of complications from delayed treatment and improving long-term health outcomes.

What is CathLab?

A CathLab is a specialised room in a hospital or medical facility equipped with diagnostic imaging equipment and other medical devices used to perform minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat cardiovascular conditions. In the CathLab, doctors, typically cardiologists or interventional radiologists, perform procedures such as cardiac catheterisation, angioplasty, stenting, and other interventions to diagnose and treat conditions like coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, and congenital heart defects.
 

The Health support programme in Kosovo – Phase II project primarily has been operating at two general hospitals: the General Hospital of Prizren and the General Hospital of Gjilan, supporting modernisation and transformation of the service provision at these hospitals through innovative approaches and advanced technology. 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.