Written by: Paulina Nushi
Healthcare in Kosovo, unfortunately, is facing a deep crisis. All of us who have passed through the doors of the UCCK feel every day how far from the minimum standards for a healthcare institution this situation is. What I recently experienced, when I was forced to hospitalize my little son, Priam, for a health problem that for many children can be common while growing up, left me with mixed feelings between anger and despair. While my brain was gripped by worry, I realized that we must do something to radically change this country. But what? As a journalist, I am left with a pen and paper to write about the mess in which the main healthcare institution in the country is located.
When you enter the UCCK, especially the Pediatric Clinic, you are overcome by a crushing feeling of anxiety that comes from the general chaos. The condition of sick children is one that is a difficult experience for every parent. This situation is compounded by the lack of order and space. After a long and tiring wait to be admitted to the clinic, we were directed to Dermatology. Throughout this process, we faced many difficulties, which were created by the so-called “health system” that is in fact a mess and chaos.
When I first entered the hospital room, the sight struck me deeply: a small room with four inadequate beds for patients placed close together, for children of different ages and illnesses. It was unimaginable that four small children, each with different health problems accompanied by their parents, a total of 8 people in a small room, were trying to spend long days and nights in such a cramped space. A 12-year-old boy, another 10, small children of 3 and 2.5 years old – all forced to share the same stuffy air. From the first sight it became clear that anyone who came here had to accept compromises, and not for the better. Just to breathe normally inside this room, it seemed like a challenge in itself.
In addition, the hygiene problem was obvious. The bathrooms were not located close to the rooms and were in a state that left much to be desired. As a mother with a small child, I found myself facing the daily difficulty of taking care of the most basic needs, since going to the toilet was an adventure in itself. The hospital did not even provide the simplest things like toilet paper, shampoo or the most common sanitary conditions, which in such an institution should be minimal.
The atmosphere inside the hospital was as harsh as the physical conditions. From other rooms you could hear loud music, a stark contrast to what was expected in a hospital environment. From the next room, the musical voices of an absurd repertoire insistently rang in each of our ears – songs like “Don’t tell me you’re a citizen, because I know you’re from the countryside” and then continued with other verses equally inappropriate for such an environment. Instead of the hospital being a place of calm and care, it seemed more like a space where anyone could do whatever they wanted.
All of this was in stark contrast to the dedication and professionalism of the doctors and nurses. In the midst of all this dire situation, they were the only ones keeping this system afloat. The doctors, along with a wonderful team of nurses, showed extraordinary dedication to meeting the needs of the patients, doing their best in these difficult conditions. They took an interest in every detail of my son’s health, asking about every detail of his medical history. Without their efforts and attention, the center would have seemed even more unmanageable.
But the individual efforts of medical personnel are not enough to solve the major problem we have with the health system. The problems are deep and require major changes in infrastructure, management, and investment. It is not too much to ask for comfortable beds, enough space for each patient, clean bathrooms close to the rooms, or even basic things like toilet paper and soap. These are elementary requirements for a country that claims to provide quality health care.
Therefore, I would like to call on the Government to take concrete measures to improve conditions in hospitals. The dedication of doctors and nurses is undeniable, but they cannot perform miracles in these circumstances. Major investments and a radical restructuring of the system are needed.
As a parent, I demand that our children be treated with dignity, in environments that provide the care and peace they deserve. It's not too much to ask – it's simply a fundamental right, access to a decent healthcare facility.
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