Alimehmeti reveals the behind-the-scenes details of Evis Sala’s departure: Rama wanted a “KAYO” for healthcare, but she did not sign

Doctor and Democratic Party representative Ilir Alimehmeti said on the “News24” program that the sudden departure of Health Minister Evis Sala after just one year in office may be linked to her opposition to a government legislative initiative.

According to him, the government has prepared a draft law aimed at handing the administration of the pharmaceutical market, tenders and public procurement in the healthcare sector to a joint-stock company (SHA), thereby weakening institutional and parliamentary oversight.

“We have information that Rama intends to hand over the entire pharmaceutical market, tenders and public procurement to an SHA-type company. This model bypasses the state and resembles the ‘KAYO’ company created for armaments, but in this case it would be applied to healthcare. State control would disappear. Healthcare, education and security are the three main pillars of the state. If an SHA is also created for education, then the state ceases to be a state. This project is against the state and against healthcare,” Alimehmeti said.

He pointed out that the decision to remove Evis Sala came just one year after her appointment, despite statements following the government meeting in Pogradec that the cabinet would not undergo changes. Alimehmeti linked the development to her refusal to sign the bill.

“For weeks, there have been discussions that the minister did not agree with this initiative and opposed its content. Perhaps she refused to sign it. If that is the reason, she deserves credit for refusing to compromise her public image, but she must take responsibility and speak publicly. This is why people with political profiles, rather than unknown figures, are usually appointed to such positions,” he said.

In conclusion, the Democratic Party doctor said attention is now focused on the new Health Minister, Klodiana Spahiu. According to him, it remains to be seen whether she will move this bill forward or stop it, while he called for it to be made clear who will defend the interests of citizens in the face of a structure that would not be under state control.