Strengthening cardiac care for patients in Kosovo

The renovated Coronary Care Unit at the University Clinical Centre of Kosovo (UCCK) was inaugurated on 27 October 2026 in the presence of Prime Minister Albin KURTI, Minister of Health Arben VITIA, Eric DIETZ, Head of Mission at the Embassy of Luxembourg in Pristina, and representatives of hospital management and medical staff. Financed by the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg through the Health support programme in Kosovo – Phase II, implemented jointly by the Ministry of Health and LuxDev, the modernised facility offers improved conditions for patients requiring intensive cardiac care and for the healthcare professionals treating them.

With modern facilities, additional beds and advanced monitoring equipment, the renovated unit supports the close observation and continuous treatment required by patients with serious heart conditions. According to Mr DIETZ, the investment is expected to increase the Cardiology Department’s treatment capacity by a third.

For Luxembourg, the purpose of this support is rooted in the difference that accessible, effective healthcare makes to patients and their families.

The Coronary Care Unit complements the Luxembourg-supported Catheterisation Laboratory (CathLab) at UCCK, which provides diagnostic and interventional cardiac services. According to available data, more than 3,000 patients have already benefited from its services.

Together, these facilities strengthen the clinic’s ability to diagnose, treat and monitor patients at different stages of cardiac care. They also build on the CathLab at Prizren General Hospital, which has been operational since June 2024, helping to develop a more integrated cardiac care network across Kosovo.

These interventions form part of a broader effort to expand access to essential healthcare services and enable more patients to receive treatment closer to their communities. 

Luxembourg’s support combines infrastructure and equipment with clinical expertise, professional exchanges and long-term capacity development. A key partner is the National Institute of Cardiac Surgery and Interventional Cardiology (INCCI) in Luxembourg, which works with Kosovo’s healthcare professionals to strengthen cardiovascular care.

From 28 September to 2 October 2026, three cardiology healthcare professionals from Kosovo took part in a one-week observership at the INCCI. Through direct observation and exchanges with specialists, they explored advanced clinical practices, the organisation of services and quality standards relevant to cardiovascular care and interventional cardiology.

The exchange continued in Kosovo from 4 to 11 October, when an INCCI team comprising a cardiac surgeon, a cardiac perfusionist and a quality officer visited the Cardiology Clinic in Prishtina. The team supported cardiac surgery staff in strengthening their skills and improving the organisation of procedures, while also assessing quality improvement and patient safety practices in cardiac surgery and interventional cardiology.

“But modern hospitals and advanced medical equipment are only part of the equation. The true strength of any healthcare system lies in its people, ” Mr DIETZ said, acknowledging the dedication of doctors, nurses and other medical staff.

Luxembourg’s partnership with Kosovo’s health sector spans more than two decades. Cooperation has supported emergency care, neonatal intensive care, pathology and pulmonology, alongside improvements to healthcare infrastructure in Prizren, Gjilan and Prishtina. Support continues through the ongoing renovation of the General Hospital in Gjilan, while planned assistance for a simulation centre would create further opportunities for practical training and continuous medical education.

The renovated Coronary Care Unit reflects this combined investment in facilities, professional skills and patient safety, with the aim of building a stronger and more accessible healthcare system.

As Mr DIETZ emphasised :

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 programme 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.