The agenda of the Transforming Cancer Care Together event on April 4, 2025, outlines the discussions and sessions dedicated to transforming cancer care.
Transforming Cancer Care:
A Cross-Country Roundtable on Investment & Regional Collaboration
Tirana International Hotel & Conference Centre, Balsha Room, April 4, 2025
4 April 2025
| TIME | TOPIC |
| 08:00 – 08:30 | Registration and Welcome Coffee |
| 08:30 – 09:00 |
Opening Remarks Welcome speech: Donjeta Zeqa President of Europa Donna Albania Welcome speech: Albana Koçiu Minister of Health and Social Protection Welcome speech: Marzia Zambon, CEO of EUROPA DONNA – The European Breast Cancer Coalition |
| 09:00 – 11:30 |
Session 1: “Prioritizing Oncology: The Importance and Economic Impact” Moderator: Prof. Nick Guldemond, Expert Member WHO Working Group Digital Health, Prof. of Leiden University Medical Center, WHO envoy for Digital Health and System Transformation for the Republic of Georgia. |
| 09:00 – 09:20 |
“How Strategic Budget Allocation Can Drive Better Outcomes and Economic Growth” – Enkelejd Musabelliu, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania |
| 09:20 – 09:40 | “Proposed Reforms in Albania to Enhance Healthcare Services and Improve Cancer Patient Care” – Prof.Dr. Helidon Nina, Medical Director, Head of Oncological Surgical & Intensive Unit at Oncological Hospital, University Hospital Center “Nene Tereza” – Tirana, Albania |
| 09:40 – 10:00 |
“Uniting Policy, Finance, and Patient Voices for Better Cancer Outcomes”- Liridona Beqiri – Co-founder of EZRA, NM Deputy Head of Department for Leading Registers – Ministry of Finance; NM External advisors of the chairman of the Albanian parliament”
|
| 10:00 – 10:15 | “Technical Support for improving cancer care and screening – Case studies from the European Union” – Simon Drees Policy Officer – Health Reforms EU |
| 10:15 – 11:00 |
Panel Discussion Enkelejd Musabelliu, Deputy Minister of Economy, Culture and Innovation of Albania Prof.Dr. Helidon Nina, Medical Director, Head of Oncological Surgical & Intensive Unit at Oncological Hospital, University Hospital Center “Nene Tereza” – Tirana, Albania Gazmend Bejtja, WHO in Albania Radu Ganescu, European Patients Forum, Romania |
| 11:00 – 11:30 | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 – 14:00 |
Session 2: “Regional Oncology Treatment: Mitigating System Burdens and Boosting Patient Care through Close-to-Home Services” Moderator: Nick Guldemond |
| 12:00 – 12:20 |
“Expanding Regional Oncology Centers: Unlocking Better Cancer Care and Overcoming Key Challenges” – MD. Kleida Mati – Oncologist |
| 12:20 – 12:40 | “Challenges and Solutions in Regionalizing Cancer Care: Overcoming Barriers and Ensuring Quality and Consistency Across Regional Centers” – Cristina Berteanu, Medical Director, Memorial Hospital – Rumanian Experience Sharing |
| 12:40 – 13:00 | “Social Participation in Healthcare: Empowering Patient Associations for Effective Representation and Inclusive Decision-Making”- Agron Bytyçi, Executive Director, PRAK – Patients’ Rights Association, Kosovo |
| 13:00 – 13:15 |
“Regional Oncology Treatment: Benefits from the Perspectives of Patients and Caregivers on Close-to-Home Services Experiences from the region” – Evald Serreqi, Caregiver |
| 13:15 – 13:30 | “Burden of cancer in Europe and its impact on individuals, society and the economy” – Liora Bowers, Health Policy Analyst – Health Division at OECD |
| 13:30 – 14:15 |
Panel discussion: Dr. Marijana Milovic, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiology.- Briefcase share illustrating ways to improve cancer care services in regional centers and strengthen primary and secondary healthcare Alma Cani, Hospital Director Hospital Center “Nene Tereza,” Tirana, Albania Silvana Çeliku, Head of Oncology, University Hospital Center “Nene Tereza,” Tirana, Albania Enida Glusac, President of Breast Cancer Patient Association “Renesansa” Bosnia and Herzegovina Violeta Pirania, The president of “Renesansa”, Breast Cancer Patient Association, Kosovo |
| 14:15 – 15:00 | Lunch |
| 15:00 – 18:00 |
Session 3: “Why investments in Health Matter” Moderator: Nick Guldemond |
| 15:00 – 15:20 | “Investing in Oncology: What It would mean for the Healthcare System and Budget Maximization” – Marsida Mulaj, Director of Primary and Hospital Health Care at Albanian HIF |
| 15:20 – 15:40 |
“Unlocking Economic Value Through Healthcare Investment in Bosnia and Herzegovina: A Strategic Path Forward” -Admir Čavalić, Doctor of economics and MP in the House of Representatives of Parliament of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| 15:40 – 16:00 |
“Health economists discuss the long-term economic benefits and ROI of prioritizing health budgets” -Prof. Aleksandra Grozdanova, Faculty of Pharmacy, UKIM, Skopje |
| 16:00 – 16:20 |
“The Value of Innovation in Addressing the Socioeconomic Burden of Breast Cancer in Serbia” – Lazar Popovic, Professor of Oncology, Oncology Institute of Vojvodina, University of Novi Sad, Serbia |
| 16:20 – 16:40 | “”Engaging in the political economy of financing Universal Health Coverage” – Robert Yates, Political Health Economist, United Kingdom |
| 16:40 – 17:30 |
Panel Discussion Moderator: Nick Guldemond
|
| 17:30 – 17:45 |
Closing Remarks: Nick Guldemond Recommendations Agreement on policy recommendations for prioritising cancer care Drafting and signing the Declaration for Cancer Care Investments. Final thoughts by Europa Donna Albania and closing of the event |
