The Government of Albania has identified digital connectivity and broadband infrastructure as key priorities in its strategic documents. One of the key infrastructure networks currently in use is the Government Network (GovNet) which interconnects more than 230 public institutions in Tirana, including healthcare service providers.
E-health systems currently used across the country are the e-Prescription system (with 1,600 family physicians in 413 Medical Centres prescribing over 330,000 e-signed prescriptions monthly) and the e-Referral system (which digitalises the process of 7,000 medical referrals daily from the family doctors to the secondary health care physicians).
In addition, the Regional Hospital Information System planned for implementation in all regional hospitals (11 in total) requires a redundant fibre optic connection and large bandwidth capacity due to the large processing of data and the generation of e-signed medical documents. The same applies to the Electronic Health Record (EHR) used by 39 polyclinics throughout the country to store and exchange clinical patient information. The municipality hospitals (24) and University Hospitals (5) need to be connected Government Network as well.
As a result, redundant network infrastructure and connection have been necessary for all healthcare service providers, to ensure secure and fast data transfer/processing. By using GovNet, health institutions will have reliable access to all centralised e-services, thus providing secure communication and guaranteeing quicker and relentless use of any system functions designed for their use, despite their remote location.
Through this technical assistance grant, WBIF will support the preparation of the Feasibility Study for the expansion of the Government Network (GovNet) to explore the technical, financial, and economic viability of investments.
