Speaking at the 11th World Cancer Forum 2026, organised by The Economist, Sala said discussions focused on ensuring equal access to cancer care across Europe and addressing systemic disparities in treatment outcomes.

She said access to care remains the key challenge in Europe, stressing that survival should not depend on a patient’s place of residence.

Sala outlined priorities for reducing inequalities, including early diagnosis, access to innovative treatments, and stronger health system capacity.

She also presented Albania’s ongoing oncology reforms, including the establishment of a National Cancer Institute, decentralisation of oncology services through regional units, modernisation of radiotherapy services, and improvements to pharmaceutical and medical device legislation aligned with EU standards.

She added that Albania is accelerating digital transformation in healthcare to improve care coordination, referral systems and the use of health data.

Sala said the success of cancer policy should be measured not only by scientific progress, but also by faster diagnosis, reduced waiting times and more coordinated patient care.

/r.e/u.sh/