TIRANA, Oct 12 /ATA/ – Mobile mammography units will continue providing breast cancer screening and early detection services across Albania, including in remote areas, to improve women’s access to preventive healthcare.
Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu highlighted the importance of maintaining the service throughout the year, rather than limiting it to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, during a visit to the central Albania city of Elbasan on Monday.
Elbasan Mayor Gledian Llatja said mobile mammography units had made screening more accessible to women in rural communities and remote administrative units, who often struggle to attend appointments because of transport difficulties or daily work commitments.
He added that, in cooperation with the Health Ministry and the operator responsible for the service, mobile screening had been extended to all administrative units within the municipality.
Dorina Toçi, head of the Institute of Public Health, said a deployment schedule for the mobile mammography units had been drawn up in coordination with local authorities and the local healthcare unit.
The mobile units will continue operating until the stationary mammography service is fully restored, Toçi said. Waiting times for results are also expected to fall significantly, from around six weeks at present to one to two weeks.
Spahiu welcomed the development, describing it as good news for women relying on the service and stressing the importance of continuing regular screenings until the stationary mammography service in Elbasan resumes full operation.
She also said the establishment of the Oncology Institute would pave the way for a reorganisation of oncology services and the creation of an integrated nationwide network.
Health authorities urged women not to limit breast health checks to Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, but to seek regular screening throughout the year.
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