Today, the Diaspora Medical Meeting is taking place, a special meeting dedicated to medical professionals, including Albanian doctors with professional activities in the Diaspora and doctors from the Diaspora who have returned to their country of origin. This meeting is held for the first time by the National Diaspora Agency, in cooperation with the Minister of State for Diaspora, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Albanian Fund for Diaspora Development.

In his welcoming speech Minister of State for Diaspora, Mr. Pandeli Majko thanked the participants for their presence at the meeting and emphasized the importance of the scientific Diaspora in the development of the country.“Diaspora members continue to contribute to increase professional and institutional capacity not only by returning to Albania, but also through ‘virtual return’. Cooperation with their counterparts in the country of origin creates a professional and institutional synergy with the networks and associations of professionals in European Union countries, the US, and other developed countries ”, said Minister Majko.

This activity of special importance was welcomed also by the Minister of Health and Social Protection, Ms. Ogerta Manastirliu, who praised the return of some doctors to Albania to contribute to their country with patriotism and sacrifice. “They are the best models that make us proud and we have to come up with a support package for the return of doctors to Albania,” the minister said.

Also, two well-known personalities in the field of medicine, Rector of the University of Medicine, Prof. Dr. Arben Gjata and the President of the Order of the Doctor, Dr. Fatmir Brahimaj welcomed the meeting and stressed the importance of engaging the Albanian Diaspora in academic activity such as supporting projects implementation or teaching. Discussions are ongoing with the development of two panels: “Health Sector Employment Policies and Programs” and “Albanian Health Innovation and Success”. These forms of organization can best channel the efforts and contributions of the Albanian Diaspora to the development of the country.