Balkan Forum for Breast Cancer – Regional Meeting
In addition to her commitment to supporting and advocating for the rights of breast cancer patients, Sara is particularly passionate about prevention programs and health literacy. Within Europa Donna Serbia, she is developing a digital navigation tool designed to guide patients through the Serbian healthcare system. The app helps women navigate the healthcare system with greater ease and confidence by clarifying their rights, simplifying medical terminology, and strengthening communication with healthcare professionals, ultimately giving them more control over their treatment journey.
Her clinical interests include gynecological and breast cancers, SBRT, and radiotherapy in low-resource settings. Her career includes experience at Clinica Universidad de Navarra ( Campus Madrid) in proton therapy in adults and pediatrics. She is currently enrolled in the ESO Certificate of Advanced Studies in Gynecological Cancers (2025–2026) and has completed extensive training through ESTRO, ESMO and ESO.
Dr. Haxhiu is an ESO Ambassador, ESTRO Breast Focus Group member, and ESCO fellow. She contributes to national health policy and serves as a peer reviewer for international oncology journals. Her work spans clinical practice, academic research and cancer care advocacy.
Entela Ramosaçaj is an infectious disease specialist with over 20 years of experience and a leading expert in her field. She completed her studies and specialization at the University of Medicine in Tirana and holds a PhD in Medical Sciences.
Since 2008, she has been a lecturer at the Department of Infectious Diseases and in the field of Vaccination. Currently, she serves as the Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection, where she is contributing to the improvement of the healthcare system in Albania.
Marsida Mulaj, MSc.MD. is a General Physician and Public Health Specialist, currently serving as Director of Primary and Hospital Health Care at the Compulsory Health Insurance Fund of Albania. She oversees a wide network of primary health centers and public hospitals, working to ensure equitable access to quality health services. She has strong expertise in health economics and health financing, which she applies in implementing reforms aimed at improving the sustainability, efficiency, and coverage of the Albanian health system.
Fjordi Bisha is a civil engineer with a strong background in infrastructure and sustainable resource management, now dedicated to strengthening civil society and regional cooperation in the Western Balkans. Since 2021, he has managed the EU/WBF Joint Action at the Western Balkans Fund, leading initiatives that empower civil society organizations, foster cross-border collaboration, and support inclusive development. Previously, he advised Albania’s Minister of Infrastructure on policy and strategic reforms, bringing technical expertise and practical insight to national development efforts.
Biba Shrepfler is a highly experienced project manager, patient advocate, and consultant with over 18 years of expertise in healthcare project development, leadership, patient rights advocacy, and the implementation of global health strategies.
Recognized among patient organizations as a passionate advocate driven to improve patient outcomes and empower cancer survivors, she has built successful international collaborations, advanced cancer awareness and treatment across Central and Eastern Europe, and organized large-scale health initiatives.
Biba has developed innovative strategies to engage governments, policy makers, public health institutions, NGOs, and communities, bridging critical gaps in health policies, cancer prevention, treatment, and patient care improvement.
Her extensive experience spans project development and management, advocacy, and training programs, with a strong knowledge of healthcare systems in the region and a strategic mindset for policy development. As a speaker and trainer at national and international forums, Biba amplifies the voices of cancer patients, fosters cross-sector collaboration, and works tirelessly to strengthen healthcare systems and patient advocacy with the main focus on CEE & Balkan.
Dr. Orges Spahiu is the Head of the Radiotherapy Unit at the University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa” in Tirana, the only public Radiotherapy center in Albania. With over 24 years of experience as a Radiation Oncologist, he has played a key role in the development of the national Radiotherapy service, leading the modernization of infrastructure and the training of new generations of physicians.
Dr. Spahiu holds a PhD in Medical Sciences from the “University of Turin” and is actively involved in international research projects, particularly in the multidisciplinary treatment of breast cancer, head and neck cancers, sarcomas, gastrointestinal tract tumors, and pediatric oncology. He is also an active contributor to programs of the IAEA, ESTRO, ASCO, e-COST, ERASMUS, and others.
Prof. Tit Albreht, M.D., Ph.D. in Health Services Research at the University of Amsterdam, Head of the Centre for Health Care at the National Institute of Public Health of Slovenia, Senior Researcher in the field of health services research, health policy and health systems research, member of the Scientific Committee of EUPHA.
He served as President of the Slovenian Preventive Medicine Society between 2016 and 2022, and he is currently President of the European Public Health Association for the term 2024-2026. He was the scientific coordinator of four EU cancer policy projects, Joint Actions, currently WP co-leader in JA on the EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres. He is associate professor of public health at both Slovenian faculties of medicine as well as at the Faculties of Health Sciences in Maribor and Jesenice.
Vesna Ramljak, MD PhD is pathologist, Head of the cytology Departement at the University center Sestre milosrdnice, University Hospital for tumors with a extensive experiance working ultrasound and ultrasound-guided FNA byopsis, especialy in the diagnosis of breast and thyroid diseases.
She is also president of Europa Donna Croatia and a former member of the European Board Europa Donna, for the two executive terms. Vesna Ramljak is primarius and an assistant professor of medicine and a senior research associate at the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Zagreb. She is a professor at the University of Zagreb’s Health Sciences University. She is a passionate patient advocate for women with breast cancer in Croatia.
Her work spans clinical practice, academic research and breast cancer care advocacy. She is the founder of One-day breast cancer diagnostics in order to bridge the time gap between different diagnostics and reduce psychological stress.
Dr Ramljak also participated in the creation of a strategic framework for fighting cancer in Croatia, both as a doctor and as the one of the patients’ representative.