Press Release

Tirana Prosecution Office has sought security measures for seven doctors and specialists from the University Hospital Center (UHC). They face charges of “Abuse of office”. The doctors, specialists and the hospital administrator redirected patients diagnosed with tumor diseases to private clinics for financial gain, neglecting to provide necessary services at the Oncology Hospital at UHC.

Following the successful completion of Operation "Rrugëtimi," during which 16 individuals were arrested and the drugs were seized, it was revealed that some of the appropriated drugs were intended for hospital use, particularly in the oncology department.

Through sustained investigations in cooperation with the Economic and Financial Crime Fighting Section in Tirana Local Police Directorate, along with proactive measures such as phone interceptions, field surveillance, simulated purchases, and other investigative actions, it was discovered that several patients were deprived of proper medical treatment and redirected to private clinics.

Similarly, the prosecution documented cases where chemotherapy drugs of significant value were purchased from pharmacies selling such medications without the tax stamp and with damaged codes, raising suspicions regarding the authenticity of these drugs.

Additionally, investigations revealed that a Cobalt Therapy Device was installed at the Oncology Hospital in UHC to treat patients diagnosed with tumor diseases, particularly skin cancer.

For the functioning of the Cobalt Therapy device, it is required the construction of an anti-radiation or anti-atomic bunker that complies with the approved conditions stipulated by Vienna Atomic Agency or the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Investigations discovered that such a bunker was never built, and the equipment was installed improperly, failing to meet technical specifications. Since its arrival in Albania in 2021, the device has remained unused and neglected in unsuitable conditions, posing potential radiation risks to medical personnel.

Regarding the above, Tirana District Court decided on the imposition of the security measures requested by the prosecution for the below mentioned:

E.G. (Doctor at the Oncology Hospital in UHC) for "Abuse of Office" as stipulated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: "House arrest";

E.L. (Coordinator at the Oncology Hospital in UHC) for "Abuse of Office" as stipulated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: " Duty to appear at the judicial police" as per Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

A.Y. (Doctor at the Oncology Hospital in UHC)) for "Abuse of Office" as stipulated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: " Duty to appear at the judicial police " as per  Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

B.Q. (Former Deputy Director at QSUNT responsible for oncology services) for “Abuse of Office" as stipulated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: " Duty to appear at the judicial police" as per Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

D.K. (Former specialist at QSUNT) for "Abuse of Office" as stipulated in Article 248 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: " Duty to appear at the judicial police" Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code;

H.G. for "Concealment of Income" as stipulated in Article 180/1 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: "Duty to appear at the judicial police" Article 234 of the Criminal Procedure Code; and

F.M. for " Trade and transport in smuggled goods" and " Storage of smuggled goods " as stipulated in Articles 178 and 179 of the Criminal Code. Security measure: "House arrest" as per Article 237 of the Criminal Procedure Code.