Over 80 requests in 1 month for hormonal therapy. QSUT doctors concerned about the service, protest expected to sabotage it

A medical service such as hormone therapy is being introduced as a new accessory at the "Mother Teresa" Hospital Center, where the Ministry of Health has tasked the hospital directorate to establish and offer this medical service in the future near the Endocrinology ward.

Since the beginning of May 2026 until today, over 80 requests have been registered with this ward for the purpose of entering the hormonal therapy scheme.

A doctor working for this service told "Syri.net" journalist Elton Qyno that the issue is very problematic, as even before it is offered as a service, the number of requests is large, with over 80 cases submitted in just 1 month to receive the hormonal service.

"...we are in conditions where the doctors themselves do not want to offer hormonal therapy, because they know better than anyone what effect this has on children and further society. There is an internal discussion among the white shirts about sabotaging this service, through protest methods, but no action has been taken so far. The fact that within 1 month, over 80 requests to receive hormonal therapy have been filed in the Endocrinology ward, this is a worrying figure..." - says one of the doctors of this ward.

And to think that this statistical situation comes at a time when the service has not yet been put into operation, but has been issued as an instruction by the Ministry of Health to be implemented at the "Mother Teresa" Hospital Center in Tirana.

The introduction of this service has brought strong reactions from civil society that protects the family and Albanian society. But at the same time, reactions against hormone therapy have also been made by the 5 religious communities in Albania, which have called this initiative the most serious act committed against the Albanian family.

This initiative has also been opposed in the 10-day protests held in Tirana and other cities in the country.

The Ministry of Health's instruction defines the medical criteria, clinical procedures, and monitoring for hormonal therapy, which will be provided at the QSUT and will be covered by public funds.

The protocol provides for treatment for adults, but also for adolescents from 16 years of age, when evaluated by doctors and with family approval.

Due to the lack of legal recognition and proper healthcare, many transgender Albanians have been forced to receive hormone therapy abroad or sometimes even at local pharmacies under the guise of a doctor, significantly increasing costs and health risks, being outside the monitoring of a specialist.

But an order from the Ministry of Health, approved on April 28 and signed by Deputy Minister Eugena Tomnini, aims to provide a solution to this situation.

Now, all those people who want to change their bodies through hormones to fit their gender identity (which does not necessarily match their biological sex) will have the right to receive this treatment at the University Hospital Center in Tirana.

The Ministry of Health has approved for the first time an official protocol for hormonal treatment of transgender people, introducing this service into the public healthcare system in Albania.

The order defines the medical criteria, clinical procedures and monitoring method for hormonal transition that will be performed in the endocrinology service at the QSUT.

The treatment will be accessible to transgender men transitioning from female to male through the hormone testosterone, as well as to transgender women transitioning from male to female through estrogen and anti-androgens.

As a rule, therapy can begin from the age of 16, while in special cases, and only with specialized assessment, it can be considered from the age of 14./ Elton Qyno, Syri Tv