site.btaBulgarian Doctors Provide Free Check-ups for 350 People in Albanian Region

More than 350 people received free medical check-ups from Bulgarian medical professionals during the latest mission of the Bulgarian Memory Foundation in the Mala Prespa region of Albania, the Foundation said on Monday. The initiative was carried out with the support of Bulgaria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defence, in coordination with Albania’s Ministry of Health.

Medical professionals from St Ivan Rilski Hospital in Sofia, St Georgi Hospital in Plovdiv, Reverse Dermatology, and Heidelberg Medical Center took part in the initiative, covering cardiology, internal medicine, endocrinology, rheumatology and dermatology.

Among the most frequently diagnosed health problems were skin conditions such as eczema and rosacea, including cases of skin tumours referred for surgery. Endemic goitre and other thyroid diseases, typical for mountainous areas with low iodine intake, were also observed. Many patients were found to suffer from severe joint diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative changes caused by heavy agricultural labour, while cardiovascular problems were also prevalent, with doctors noting improvements in some patients who had been examined and treated during previous missions.

The 2025 mission also involved young Albanian medical professionals who had graduated in Bulgaria and returned to support their native community. Lyuba Mitre, who currently works as a nurse in Plovdiv (South Central Bulgaria), expressed joy at being able to return to Albania to support the local community. She noted that the people there are deeply appreciative of the care and attention provided by the Bulgarian medical professionals and await their visits with great anticipation.

The Foundation is already preparing the next visit, scheduled for October 24-26, when examinations will cover new specialties, including otolaryngology, ophthalmology, neurology, mammology, and urology.