The Institute said on Friday reports of an outbreak were unfounded and warned that inaccurate information could cause unnecessary panic.

Public Health Institute called on parents to adhere to the national immunisation schedule and ensure their children are vaccinated on time, stressing that vaccination remains the safest and most effective measure to prevent infectious diseases.

It said it would continue to inform the public in a transparent and responsible manner on any developments related to public health.

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An official handover ceremony on Friday was attended by Japanese Ambassador to Albania Kato Kikuko, UNDP Resident Representative Monica Merino, the Mayor of Përmet Alma Hoxha and other local government officials. The event marked a significant milestone in the municipality’s transition to sustainable energy.

The newly installed solar systems, with a combined capacity of 100 kWp, are expected to save approximately 31,428 euros annually in energy costs for the two kindergartens. These installations are part of a broader project that includes ten solar PV grid-connected systems across public buildings in Shkodra, Dibra, Klos, and Përmet, totaling 542 kWp. Collectively, these systems will cut carbon emissions by an estimated 20,000 tons over their 25-year lifespan and provide clean energy to around 2,124 children, public officials, and community members.

This project, titled “Market Transformation for Solar Power Photovoltaic Acceleration in Albania,” is funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in collaboration with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Energy, the Agency for Energy Efficiency, and local governments. The initiative aims to accelerate Albania’s shift toward renewable energy sources.

With 859,000 US dollars in funding from Japan, the project supports Albania’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement and strengthens the country’s dedication to climate-resilient development.Japanese Ambassador Kato Kikuko remarked: The objective of this project is to support Albania’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions and adapt to climate change in a sustainable manner. The installation of solar photovoltaic systems in the municipalities in Albania including Përmet will diversify Albania’s energy sources beyond hydropower, thereby reducing the country’s reliance mainly on a single source of energy. This will guarantee a reliable electricity supply and facilitate sustainable economic growth in the country, while also advancing Albania’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). The Government of Japan thus donated the necessary funding to UNDP. We also organized an international seminar together with UNDP for sharing the relevant expertise with the participation both from Japan and Albania.. I would like to extend my gratitude to the UNDP team and the Përmet municipal team for their dedicated efforts throughout this project.”

UNDP Resident Representative Monica Merino added, “This initiative marks a significant advancement toward achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions. It will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 20,000 tons and directly benefit more than 2,000 people. We are grateful for Japan’s invaluable support, which helps transform climate commitments into impactful actions. Japan remains a key partner in making meaningful strides toward a net-zero future.”

The transformative potential of solar energy is already evident through ten pilot projects implemented across Dibra, Klos, Shkodra, and Përmet municipalities, resulting in enhanced access to solar, energy for thousands of Albanian citizens.

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“Buildings have been added, buildings have been rented but the need for this service has seen an upward trend. We started the service with 5,000 – 6,000 children, now there are over 11,000 children,” Beqiri said during an interview.

Beqiri also informed about the procedure for enrolling children in kindergarten and moving from nursery to kindergarten.

According to her, children who have attended kindergarten do not need to submit documents to enroll in kindergarten, except for a form that must be completed by the parents in the kindergarten currently attended by the children.//a.i/