Podujeva, November 13, 2024
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, accompanied by the Minister of Health, Arben Vitia, participated this afternoon in the inauguration of the new Medical Emergency-Doha facility in Podujeva, where they were welcomed by the Mayor of this municipality, Shpejtim Bulliqi.
With a total amount of 1.7 million euros, a collaboration and co-financing between the Municipality of Podujeva with 600 thousand euros and the Qatar Charity Organization with 1.1 million euros, this facility was inaugurated just two years after the start of construction.
At this important inauguration for the citizens of Podujeva, Prime Minister Kurti emphasized that this space, approximately 1600 square meters, will serve the well-being of citizens in need. At the same time, it has helped ease the work of the healthcare staff, as it includes the provision of some primary healthcare services as a Family Medicine Center.
Featuring modern infrastructure, the new Medical Emergency Center, strategically positioned on the Prishtina-Podujeva highway, close to the Eagle roundabout at the entrance of Podujeva city, and near the Merdare border crossing, will provide additional health services beyond emergency care. This emergency service will serve not only the city and the entire country but also the region, especially our compatriots from the Valley, who can benefit from the provision of medical services.
Prime Minister Kurti highlighted the many humanitarian and development projects carried out by Qatar Charity since 2013 in nearly every municipality of Kosovo, expressing deep appreciation for Qatar Charity, or as the Prime Minister called it, Qatar and the Philanthropist.
At the end of his address, as he expressed thanks and recognition for this cooperation, the Prime Minister highlighted, among other aspects, that the Municipality of Podujeva is continuing to advance towards development and progress akin to other municipalities, and similarly to other municipalities, the city of Podujeva receives constant support from the Government of the Republic of Kosovo. In the end, he wished the medical staff a successful and efficient work, as they now have the opportunity to operate within a modern facility with suitable infrastructure and working conditions.
During this significant inauguration, as emphasized by Prime Minister Kurti, the ambassador of the State of Qatar to Albania and Kosovo, Jabor Ali Al Dosari, senior representatives from the Qatar Charity Organization, along with municipal officials and medical staff, were in attendance.
Prime Minister Kurti’s full speech:
Honorable Deputy Speaker of the Assembly of the Republic, Mrs. Saranda Bogujevci,
Honorable Mayor of the Municipality of Podujeva, Mr. Shpejtim Bulliqi,
Honorable Minister of Health, Arben Vitia,
Honorable Ambassador of the State of Qatar to Albania and Kosovo, Your Excellency, Jabor Ali Al Dosari,
Honorable representatives from Qatar Charity Organization, esteemed Yousuf Al-Kuwari,
Honorable municipal officials from the Municipality of Podujeva,
Honorable medical staff,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Podujeva reaffirms that it is on the right track and projects are being completed in the interest of the citizens and for the citizens. The new City Medical Emergency we are inaugurating today is a valuable project of major importance for the city.
Considering the strategic positioning and proximity to the border point at Merdare, the emergency services will serve not only the city and the entire country but also the region, particularly our compatriots from the Valley, who can benefit from the provision of medical services. Because this space, with approximately 1600 square meters, also includes the provision of some primary health services as a Family Medicine Center.
The inauguration of the Medical Emergency – Doha was co-financed between the Municipality of Podujeva, which, as stated by the Mayor, contributed 600 thousand euros, and the Qatar Charity Organization, which supported the investment with a total value of 1.1 million euros, reaching a total amount of 1.7 million euros. The construction works were completed in just two years, as this is the second collaboration project between these two entities, namely the Municipality and the Foundation, following the signing of the agreement for the construction of the Agricultural Park next year, which will be the first in the country with an area of eight hectares.
However, let’s emphasize that Qatar Charity has been present in Kosovo since 2013, and even earlier, it has conducted activities through various non-governmental organizations. In 2022, projects worth 5.5 million euros were implemented, while in 2021, projects worth 5 million euros were carried out. Qatar Charity, the office in Kosovo, in addition to working with central and municipal level institutions, also collaborates with the Islamic Community in Kosovo. Qatar Charity’s activities focus on several fields, which I will mention briefly: financial assistance for orphans, utilizing this area of about 1600 square meters for individuals in need and low-income families, including monthly financial aid for families receiving social assistance, covering electricity bills for 866 families for one year, and more.
Afterwards, we received from Qatar Charity, as well as development projects, the building of 40 houses in Mitrovica, the allocation of grants in Mitrovica for agricultural greenhouses, commercial stores, beekeeping, the opening of wells, and more. Then, projects in healthcare including the construction of a Family Medicine Center in Ferizaj, in the village of Softaj, equipment and devices donated by Qatar on the occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic, which we never forget, medicines for the Municipality of Deçan, on the occasion of the poisoning of 900 people there in 2021, and others.
Next, we have the “Infinit” Training Center, which is involved in the vocational training of youth in different fields. This center, overseen by Qatar Charity, has trained approximately 5,000 young individuals from Kosovo to date. As highlighted, there are projects with the Islamic Community of Kosovo concerning the construction of various religious buildings, such as the “Bereqeti” Association building, operating under the BIK, with a value of 2.5 million dollars, and the construction of a Waqf in Gjilan worth 1.5 million dollars.
Thus, Qatar Charity, we express our gratitude for what we are inaugurating today, as well as for many other projects for which we are thankful. Charity means philanthropy, and Qatar and Charity, Qatar and philanthropy, have started to become synonymous in Kosovo with all these projects in various fields that are both humanitarian and developmental.
I express my pleasure and gratitude for this collaboration, which is as productive as it is effective, bringing the completion of projects swiftly and with quality, projects that are undoubtedly important for the city. In this particular case, the Municipality of Podujeva continues to move forward with the works and implementation of many other projects, such as infrastructure, healthcare, and education. On this journey towards development and progress, just like in all other municipalities without exception, the municipality of Podujeva also enjoys the unwavering support of the Government of the Republic. For the upcoming year’s state budget, we have allocated a total of 788 million euros to the municipalities of Kosovo, and as you have observed, the budget also passed the first reading approval in the Assembly’s latest session.
Alongside congratulating Mayor Shpejtim Bulliqi for the realization of this project and expressing gratitude to Qatar Charity Organization for their support and implementation, I also extend wishes for smooth and efficient work to the medical staff, from the Emergency Chief, Dr. Arben Beqiri, to every doctor and engaged worker, who can now operate within a spacious and modern healthcare facility, with suitable infrastructure and conditions.
Congratulations to all doctors, nurses, and patients. We wish that they don’t have to come here, but we will collectively ensure that if they do, they heal completely and as swiftly as possible.
Thank you!
Last modified: November 15, 2024