Comprehensive guide to Albania's leading healthcare institutions
Mother Teresa University Hospital is the largest and most advanced medical facility in Albania, serving as the country's primary referral hospital. Established in 1991, it was named after the Nobel Prize-winning Albanian nun and has since grown to become the center of medical excellence in the country.
The hospital boasts 32 specialized departments with over 1,200 beds and performs more than 15,000 surgeries annually. It houses Albania's most advanced cardiology center with catheterization labs, a comprehensive cancer treatment center with radiotherapy capabilities, and the country's only neurosurgery department equipped with modern imaging technology.
Popular Treatments: Coronary artery bypass surgery, cancer radiotherapy, brain tumor removal, and organ transplants (the only hospital in Albania performing them).
American Hospital is one of Albania's leading private healthcare institutions, known for its modern facilities and international standards of care. Founded in 2005, it has become a preferred choice for both local patients and medical tourists seeking high-quality treatment.
The hospital specializes in orthopedic surgeries, cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, and fertility treatments. It features state-of-the-art operating theaters, a modern IVF laboratory, and Albania's most advanced rehabilitation center. The hospital collaborates with specialists from Europe and the United States for complex cases.
Popular Treatments: Joint replacement surgeries, in-vitro fertilization (IVF), cosmetic surgery procedures, and sports injury rehabilitation.
The Italian Hospital in Tirana is a joint Albanian-Italian healthcare project that brings European standards of medical care to Albania. Opened in 2015, it combines Italian medical expertise with modern facilities to serve both Albanian and international patients.
This hospital is particularly renowned for its cardiac surgery department which performs complex heart operations with success rates comparable to Western European hospitals. The pediatric department offers specialized care for children, while the neurology unit is equipped with advanced diagnostic tools for brain and nervous system disorders.
Popular Treatments: Open-heart surgery, pediatric cardiology, stroke treatment, and neurological rehabilitation.
Hygeia Hospital has established itself as Albania's premier women's and children's healthcare facility since its founding in 2003. The hospital focuses on providing comprehensive care for women at all life stages and specialized pediatric services.
The maternity ward handles over 3,000 deliveries annually with Albania's most advanced neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The gynecology department offers minimally invasive surgical techniques, while the pediatric unit provides specialized care from birth through adolescence. The hospital is also known for its breastfeeding support programs and parenting classes.
Popular Treatments: High-risk pregnancy care, neonatal intensive care, laparoscopic gynecological surgeries, and pediatric vaccinations.
The German Hospital in Tirana is a specialized center for trauma and rehabilitation established through Albanian-German cooperation. Since opening in 2012, it has set new standards for post-traumatic care and physical rehabilitation in the country.
The hospital features a modern emergency department capable of handling complex trauma cases, followed by comprehensive rehabilitation programs. Its physiotherapy center is the largest in Albania, equipped with robotic rehabilitation devices and hydrotherapy pools. The internal medicine department provides specialized care for chronic conditions requiring long-term management.
Popular Treatments: Trauma surgery, stroke rehabilitation, spinal cord injury treatment, and chronic disease management.
Medicus Hospital is Albania's leading center for specialized outpatient care, focusing on dermatology, eye care, and ear-nose-throat (ENT) treatments. Established in 2008, it combines medical expertise with cutting-edge diagnostic technology.
The dermatology department offers advanced treatments for skin conditions including laser therapy and cosmetic dermatology. The ophthalmology center performs cataract surgeries and laser vision correction, while the ENT department handles complex ear and sinus surgeries. The hospital is known for its same-day procedures and minimal recovery times.
Popular Treatments: Laser eye surgery, skin cancer treatment, rhinoplasty, and hearing restoration procedures.
Qendra Spitalore Universitare is Albania's primary teaching hospital affiliated with the University of Tirana Medical School. This large public hospital serves as both a healthcare provider and the nation's main center for medical education and research.
The hospital offers comprehensive services across all major medical specialties, with particular strengths in internal medicine, general surgery, and diagnostic imaging. It houses Albania's most advanced medical library and simulation training center. The hospital plays a crucial role in training Albania's next generation of doctors while providing affordable care to the population.
Popular Treatments: Complex medical diagnoses, surgical training procedures, clinical trial participation, and specialized consultations.
As the main hospital serving Albania's second-largest city and primary seaport, Regional Hospital Durres handles a diverse patient population including local residents and international tourists. The hospital has undergone significant modernization in recent years to meet growing demands.
The hospital is particularly known for its emergency department which deals with summer tourist incidents and coastal-related health issues. It maintains a specialized unit for diving accidents and heat-related illnesses. The hospital also serves as the referral center for western Albania's coastal region, offering general medical and surgical services.
Popular Treatments: Diving-related decompression sickness, heat stroke treatment, trauma care, and infectious disease management.
Located in Albania's industrial heartland, Spitali Rajonal Elbasan specializes in occupational health and industrial medicine while serving as the main referral hospital for central Albania. The hospital has developed particular expertise in respiratory conditions related to industrial work.
The hospital maintains close relationships with local industries to provide workplace health monitoring and treatment of occupational diseases. Its pulmonology department is one of the country's best equipped, featuring advanced diagnostic tools for lung conditions. The hospital also offers general medical and surgical services to the regional population.
Popular Treatments: Occupational lung disease treatment, industrial accident trauma care, respiratory rehabilitation, and workplace injury management.
Spitali Shendetesia e Gruas (Women's Health Hospital) is Albania's leading institution focused exclusively on women's health issues across all life stages. Established in 2001, it has pioneered many specialized services for Albanian women.
The hospital is particularly renowned for its breast health center offering mammography, ultrasound, and biopsy services. The menopause clinic provides comprehensive care for perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. The reproductive health department offers family planning services and treatment for gynecological conditions. The hospital also runs extensive community education programs.
Popular Treatments: Breast cancer screening and treatment, hormonal therapy for menopause, minimally invasive gynecological procedures, and sexual health services.
Spitali American Vision is Albania's premier eye care center, established through collaboration with American ophthalmologists. Since opening in 2010, it has introduced many advanced eye treatments previously unavailable in Albania.
The hospital specializes in cataract surgery using premium intraocular lenses, LASIK vision correction, and treatment of retinal diseases. It houses Albania's only retina specialist team capable of performing vitrectomies and macular hole repairs. The hospital also features a modern optometry center with advanced diagnostic equipment.
Popular Treatments: Phacoemulsification cataract surgery, LASIK vision correction, diabetic retinopathy treatment, and glaucoma management.
Spitali Pediatrik Tirane is Albania's largest children's hospital, providing specialized care for infants, children, and adolescents. The hospital has served generations of Albanian children since its establishment in 1953.
The hospital features specialized units for pediatric surgery, neonatology, cardiology, and infectious diseases. Its vaccination center follows international immunization schedules. The hospital is known for its child-friendly environment with play areas and school services for long-term patients. It also runs outreach programs for rural communities.
Popular Treatments: Pediatric congenital condition corrections, premature infant care, childhood vaccination programs, and treatment of pediatric infectious diseases.
Spitali Onkologjik is Albania's national cancer center, providing comprehensive oncology services to patients from across the country. The hospital has undergone significant modernization in recent years with new treatment technologies.
The hospital offers chemotherapy, radiotherapy (including Albania's only linear accelerator), and surgical oncology services. It has developed specialized programs for breast cancer, lung cancer, and hematological malignancies. The palliative care unit provides pain management and supportive care for advanced cancer patients. The hospital participates in international clinical trials.
Popular Treatments: Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), targeted chemotherapy regimens, oncological surgeries, and cancer pain management.
Spitali Psikiatrik is Albania's primary psychiatric hospital, providing inpatient and outpatient mental health services. The hospital has transitioned from old institutional models to modern psychiatric care approaches in recent decades.
The hospital offers specialized units for mood disorders, psychotic disorders, geriatric psychiatry, and addiction treatment. It provides both pharmacological treatments and various forms of psychotherapy. The hospital runs community mental health programs and works to reduce stigma around mental illness in Albanian society.
Popular Treatments: Depression and anxiety treatment, schizophrenia management, addiction rehabilitation programs, and cognitive behavioral therapy.
Regional Hospital Shkodër serves as the main healthcare facility for northern Albania and the surrounding mountainous regions. The hospital has particular experience dealing with health challenges specific to the northern areas.
The hospital maintains strong infectious disease and tuberculosis units due to historical prevalence in the region. It also features well-equipped general medicine and surgical departments serving as the referral center for smaller northern clinics. The hospital plays a crucial role in emergency medical services for remote mountain communities.
Popular Treatments: Tuberculosis treatment, infectious disease management, emergency trauma care, and general medical services for northern Albania.
Spitali Ortopedik is Albania's national orthopedic center specializing in musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. The hospital has gained recognition for introducing advanced orthopedic techniques to Albania.
The hospital performs joint replacements (hip, knee, shoulder), spinal surgeries, and trauma reconstructions. Its sports medicine unit works with Albania's national athletes. The rehabilitation department features modern physiotherapy equipment and hydrotherapy facilities. The hospital collaborates with European orthopedic centers for complex cases.
Popular Treatments: Total knee and hip replacements, spinal fusion surgeries, arthroscopic procedures, and sports injury rehabilitation.
Spitali Francez is a private hospital established through French-Albanian collaboration, bringing French medical expertise to Albania. The hospital combines French medical protocols with local accessibility.
Specializing in cardiology and vascular diseases, the hospital performs angioplasties, pacemaker implantations, and vascular surgeries. Its diagnostic center offers advanced imaging including cardiac MRI and CT angiography. The hospital maintains close ties with French medical institutions for knowledge exchange.
Popular Treatments: Coronary angioplasty, varicose vein treatments, cardiac diagnostics, and hypertension management.
Located in Albania's primary coastal tourist city, Spitali Turistik specializes in treating international visitors and travel-related health issues. The hospital has multilingual staff familiar with various European healthcare systems.
The hospital handles common tourist ailments like sunburn, food poisoning, and minor injuries. Its dermatology department treats sun-related skin conditions. The travel clinic provides pre-travel consultations and vaccinations. The hospital also offers medical evacuation coordination for serious cases.
Popular Treatments: Tourist emergency care, sunburn and heat stroke treatment, travel vaccinations, and minor surgical procedures.
Spitali Geriatrik is Albania's only specialized hospital dedicated to elderly care, addressing the unique healthcare needs of the aging population. The hospital adopts holistic approaches to geriatric medicine.
The hospital provides comprehensive geriatric assessments, chronic disease management, and cognitive impairment care. Its rehabilitation programs focus on maintaining mobility and independence. The hospital also offers social services coordination and caregiver support programs for families.
Popular Treatments: Dementia care, polypharmacy management, stroke rehabilitation in elderly, and osteoporosis treatment.
Spitali Ushtarak is Albania's military hospital, providing healthcare services to armed forces personnel while also serving civilian patients. The hospital has particular expertise in trauma and emergency medicine.
The hospital maintains high readiness for mass casualty situations and combat injuries. Its trauma center follows military medicine protocols adapted for civilian use. The rehabilitation department specializes in prosthetics and post-traumatic recovery. The hospital also conducts medical research relevant to defense needs.
Popular Treatments: Battlefield trauma care, emergency preparedness training, prosthetic limb fitting, and post-traumatic stress treatment.