WHO mission to strengthen cervical cancer control in Albania

To support the strengthening of these services, during 9–13 March 2026, a team of experts from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe conducted a technical mission to Albania to assess the national cervical cancer prevention, screening and early diagnosis programme.

During the visit, WHO experts, together with representatives from the partner organization UNFPA, held meetings with representatives of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, the Institute of Public Health, the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund, representatives of the private sector, interest groups and visited several health institutions to see up close how services are provided throughout the entire chain of care.

The visits included the Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital “Koço Gliozheni”, the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, a primary health care center in Tirana, and the Regional Hospital of Durrës, where current practices, challenges and opportunities for improving screening and early diagnosis were discussed.

At the end of the mission, WHO presented preliminary findings and recommendations to national institutions and experts at a roundtable, which will contribute to further strengthening the screening program and improving access to services for women in Albania.

WHO will continue to support Albania in its efforts to advance the prevention and early detection of cervical cancer, in line with the global strategy for eliminating this disease as a public health problem.