The article “Returning Home to Transform Healthcare” carries this conversation in which she reflects on a lifelong link to medicine, a scientific journey rooted in innovation and cancer research, and her commitment to build a more equitable, modern and patient-centered health system for Albania.

In the quality of Minister of Health and Social Protection, Evis Sala covers not only health, but also social welfare, a portfolio she describes as huge.

In the health sector, Sala has identified three major areas, Oncology and the Albanian Cancer Network, A Unified Diagnostic System and Artificial Intelligence and Digital Integration.

“We need to improve cancer services in Albania,” said Sala, who plans to establish the Albanian Cancer Network, with an Oncology Institute in Tirana at its center.

Diagnostics is another area closely related to her professional background and Sala aims to build a well-integrated diagnostic system throughout the country.

With a population of around 2.4 million, she noted that, “Albania is like a big city, not even very big, if you think about some global urban centers.”

The third pillar is artificial intelligence and digital health, closely related to both oncology and diagnostics.

Early next year, she expects to have a full mapping of these three strategic areas and concrete action plans. “We will have mapped the areas, defined the actions, identified the teams and planned the financing because financing must be planned in advance”, underlines the minister.

Beyond health, Minister Sala is aware of the challenges and opportunities in the field of social welfare.

Albania is getting ready to take an historic step: membership in the European Union in 2029. “These four years are a very historic moment for us, to focus simultaneously on both health and social welfare”, said Sala, where a main focus is legal approximation, especially in the field of social welfare.

Her motivation at the head of the Ministry of Health is to use all her experience, almost 30 years in different countries, health systems and circumstances, to make a difference in the homeland. /p.s./