25 New Anesthesiologists Join Public System, Easing Pressure on Existing Staff

The challenges of the healthcare system have deepened for years, partly due to the acute shortage of anesthesiologists.

Now, this situation has begun to change, as the University Clinical Center of Kosovo and regional hospitals have welcomed 25 new anesthesia specialists, who are expected to significantly strengthen professional capacities and directly improve the quality of services for patients.

The Director of the Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Clinic, Ismet Jusufi, said this new influx of staff has eased work pressure, although the total numbers continue to fall below the optimal needs for all surgical wards.

“This has relatively improved the situation regarding numbers. It is not the number that the clinics need, considering their large capacities, but nevertheless we are pleased with the acceptance of the new anesthesiologists. They have already been placed in clinics, and the first effects of improvement are being seen, as the pressure has decreased,” Jusufi stated.

In addition to increasing the number of surgical interventions that can be performed, this staffing boost will also make it possible to administer regular annual leave for the current team, which has been functioning under uninterrupted overload.

“What is important is that most of them have not even been able to take their annual leave for 2025. The heavy workload has caused staff fatigue. Now, with their addition, we aim for at least those who have worked without a break to be able to use their leave,” he added.

With the arrival of the new anesthesiologists, the total number of these professionals at UCCK has reached around 60, forming a key link in every surgical procedure, intensive therapy, emergency management, and other anesthesia services.