Universiteti i Mjekesise Tirane

Albania

The University of MedicineTirana (UMT) is a public non-profit university and the biggest Albanian research centre covering all medical and life-sciences, including areas of disease prevention and health promotion, with close links with the Institute of Public Health (IPH), a public non-profit research and university centre that operates as technical branch of Ministry of Health; both led the recently approved 2022-2030 National Cancer Control Plan. IPH provides technical guidance to 36 local Units of Health Care in all districts of the country, while coordinating national cancer registry and other programme databases. UMT and IPH partner with the newly established national agency for management of health care (National Health Care Operator), running all healthcare institutions including 413 primary health care centres and 12 regional hospitals; reaching this way virtually 2.8 million inhabitants for education, prevention and research purposes.

Gentiana Qirjako

Prof. Gentiana Qirjako serves as the Head of the Department of Public Health at the Faculty of Medicine, Tirana, and holds the position of Head of the Health Promotion Unit at the National Institute of Public Health. With a wealth of experience in Public Health research, she has led numerous significant population-based surveys in Albania across various domains including violence, child and adolescent health, mental health, reproductive health, and nutrition. Since 2017, Gentiana has taken on the role of National Coordinator for two EU projects under the Horizon 2020 framework, demonstrating her leadership and expertise in international collaboration. Additionally, she currently serves as the National Coordinator for two ongoing EU projects within the framework of Horizon Europe.

Alban Ylli

Dr. Alban Ylli is an experienced health professional of epidemiology and health policies. He has studied medicine in Tirana, has achieved a master in Epidemiology of Health Services by Tor Vergata University in Rome and has studied for two years prevention of diseases in Geneva and Oxford Universities. He has a PhD degree and the title of Professor by Tirana University of Medicine. Dr. Ylli has been deputy director and later executive director of Institute of Public Health (IPH). Currently heads the department of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) at IPH. He also teaches health policies, NCD epidemiology, strategic management, and geriatrics at Faculty of Medicine in Tirana. He is national focal point for NCDs surveillance and control. Dr. Ylli has contributed in development of national policies for NCDs and cancer control including cervical cancer and breast cancer screening programs.

Ervin Toci

Dr. Ervin Toçi is a medical doctor trained in public health. Actually he is a full-time lecturer at the Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Tirana. Dr. Toçi has also been working for about 18 years at the Institute of Public Health of Albania, being involved in numerous research projects at national and international level. Dr. Toçi’s expertise includes public health, epidemiology, statistics and research methods. Dr. Toçi also has a particular interest in the field of scientific research and is the author of numerous papers in international peer-reviewed journals.

Eugena Tomini

Assoc.Prof. Eugena Tomini is a well-known professional with long experience in the field of public health and infection diseases. With a strong medical background, Assoc.Prof. Tomini has been Deputy Minister of Health and Social Protection and currently she is the General Director of the Institute of Public Health of Albania. She has been a coordinator and served as an expert in many national and international projects involving epidemiology and Infection Diseases Control. Assoc.Prof. Tomini has published many articles in national and international journals, actively contributing in many national and international conferences. In addition, she is co-author in numerous manuals, guidelines and protocols. She is a member of the Association of Infectologists of Albania

Alketa Qosja

Dr. Alketa Qosja (Hoxha) is a distinguished neonatologist and pediatrician, serving as full-time lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine of Tirana. She leads as the Head of the Neonatology Service and serves as the Executive Director at the Albanian Neonatology Center. With a wealth of experience, Dr. Qosja has presented extensively at national and international forums and has contributed significantly to scientific literature. Dr. Qosja’s dedication extends to her involvement in national and international projects focused on improving healthcare practices for infants and children, solidifying her reputation as a respected figure in the field of neonatology and pediatrics.