Lack of funding jeopardizes home healthcare for the elderly

In 2021, for the first time in Albania, a new typology of service was piloted in several health centers in Fier and Dibër, called “Home Health Care” (HHC). This service was made possible by the “Health for All” (HAP) project with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

With the help of the HAP project, 120 health centers in 18 Local Health Care Units have so far been included in this scheme. However, as the pilot period is coming to an end, the organization “Together for Life” raises concerns that the Ministry of Health has not foreseen sufficient funds to fully cover the costs of this service.

"Since 2021, when the piloting of the home health service began, and to date, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection has not provided any funds dedicated to this service, except to cover the salaries of the medical staff who provide this service," the TFL report states.

"This creates the impression that, so far, the Ministry of Health has shifted the financial burden to donors, specifically the Swiss government, through the HAP project," the report adds.

About 35% of people over the age of 70 face mobility problems, while this figure increases significantly for those over 85. Diseases such as arthritis, osteoporosis, stroke, and Parkinson's are among the main causes of immobility.

"From the calculations carried out by the 'Health for All' (HAP) program, it is estimated that in Albania around 15 thousand to 20 thousand disabled patients need home care," the TFL report further states.

The organization emphasizes that although home health services are expanding across the country, the lack of sustainable budgeting from the Ministry of Health jeopardizes the quality of the service.

Transportation costs, lack of necessary medical equipment and supplies, and high workload are among the main challenges facing nurses.

"The workload for a nurse ranges from 15 to 100 patients per month to visit in their homes, while many of the nurses must cover the costs of transportation and necessary equipment themselves," the report highlights.

Data collected from focus groups with nurses and family members of the elderly also show that low pensions and poverty leave the elderly without adequate social and economic support.

"Pensions, despite annual increases, remain low and insufficient to cover the basic needs of pensioners," the report states.

"Poverty makes older people feel excluded from society, which further aggravates their economic, social and health situation, especially for those who live alone and do not have sufficient support from family members," the report's authors emphasize.

The results also show that, in addition to physical disability, many elderly people cannot financially afford to travel to health centers.

“According to HAP data, only 8.9% of disabled patients reported that they could visit health centers without assistance,” the report concludes.