Migration has become a very topical political and economic concern over the past few years, with particular reference to human migration from developing countries to more developed countries. Health workforce migration from the countries in Western Balkans, especially from Albania to more developed countries is increasing during the past few years according to official statement of medical associations. So, last three years 400 doctors have asked for certificate of “Good standing” in order to apply for a job abroad. Thus, the migration of healthcare personnel in Albania is becoming a phenomenon that might risk the stability of the healthcare system with its upgrading intensity. It also contributes to lowering the quality of services rendered and at the same time reduces the necessary transfer of knowledge to the younger generations. Quantitative research performed during 2014, outlines and frames the problems and causes for the migration in five basic categories: economic, professional, political, personal and social factors for migration, including questions concerning the index of satisfaction for the profession. In order to respond to the objective of the study, doctors were invited by email to fill online the questionnaire in Survey Monkey webpage. The aim of this paper is to understand the “push” factors which affect the mobility of Albanian healthcare personnel. The needs for higher income, living and working conditions are the main causes of the expansive trend of migration of healthcare workers from Albania in the past several years. Still, the reasons behind migration of health workforce are multifold, ranging from economic and professional, to political and personal factors. The lack of job satisfaction and possibilities for further education and career development, poor working conditions, political pressure, the exposure to verbal and physical violence, are also the factors that stimulate the migration.

Following the WHO declaration for COVID-19 as a pandemic, this disease has caused an international crisis with a severe impact on economic and health care systems. After the first cases reported in China, the disease has progressively widespread worldwide where all affected countries has adapted specific safety protocols and tried to find new therapies in order to face this new disease. The final objective is to evaluate the overall impact of stringency measures taken from Albanian and Italian governmental authorities in relation to daily cases of COVID-19 in each country. This is a descriptive paper where the data collected in Albania and Italy according to authority-based stringency measures were compared with their output; temporary trend of daily cases. Officially Albania reported the first COVID-19 case in 8th of March in an Albanian citizen just arrived from Italy, meanwhile in Italy the first cases dated January 31st were a Chinese couple in Rome who had travel from Wuhan City. Both governments took action by applying different closer measures; thereby Blavatnik School of Government has introduced the Oxford COVID-19 Government Response Tracker (OxCGRT) in order to quantifying numerically these actions. According to OxCGRT, Albania and Italy present similar level of stringency indicator, but epidemiological curve of daily cases is totally different in shape. Italian curve corresponds to a typical outbreak, while Albania curve seem like any endemic disease in the population. In front of this pandemic, the Albanian curve might be cut off as a result a small number of tests carried out by Albania authorities, 6906 tests/million population, which is far lower than tests performed by Italian authorities, which is 11 times fold (79908 test/million population). Toward end of May the number of COVID-19 were dropped so both governments planned to relief closure measures by opening most of public and economic activities. In front of the fear that COVID-19 could rise up again, as a result of virus transmission amongst people that was observed in Albania, while in Italy continued with the low and decreasing trend of disease cases. Data and their comparison though different indicators or index, shows that stringency measures could contribute on a temporary diminution of new cases of COVD-19, but if not are accompanied with individual protection measures, and/or special vulnerable groups it might be a missing opportunity because the general population might lose what was achieved during national quarantine. On the other hand, taking in consideration low public spending per capita in Albania (307 USD, 2014), moving from “hummer” toward “dance” phase, managing and supporting health system is critical. Public health services should be mainly the entitled authorities to monitor data and come up with specific and efficient measures in order to prevent an increase of cases on the overall population.Keywords: Albania, Italy, stringency index, epidemic, COVID-19; Pandemic;

The healthcare system is affected by massive migration of personnel, hence one third of the Albanian population leave abroad. The migration of healthcare personnel in Albania is becoming a phenomenon that might risk the stability of the healthcare system with it's upgrading intensity. It also contributes to lowering the quality of services rendered and at the same time reduces the necessary transfer of knowledge to the younger generations. According to the Order of Physicians of Albania, 170 Medical doctors from 2009 until 2014 have asked for certificate of "Good standing" in order to apply for a job abroad. Qualitative research performed during last year, outlines and frames the problems and causes for the migration in five basic categories: economic, professional, political, personal and social factors for migration, including questions concerning the index of satisfaction for the profession. In order to respond to the objective of the study, a qualitative approach through focus groups with experienced and young professional was considered. The aim of this paper is to understand the "push" factors which affect the mobility of Albanian healthcare personnel. The need for higher income and professional development are the main causes of migration of healthcare workers in Albania in the past several years. Doctors are exposed to threats, verbal and physical attacks and generally do not feel safe at their workplace as consequence job satisfaction is reduced.

Migration has become a very topical political and economic concern over the past few years, with particular reference to human migration from developing countries to more developed countries. Health workforce migration from the countries in Western Balkans, especially from Albania to more developed countries is increasing during the past few years according to official statement of medical associations. So, last three years 400 doctors have asked for certificate of "Good standing" in order to apply for a job abroad. Thus, the migration of healthcare personnel in Albania is becoming a phenomenon that might risk the stability of the healthcare system with its upgrading intensity. It also contributes to lowering the quality of services rendered and at the same time reduces the necessary transfer of knowledge to the younger generations. Quantitative research performed during 2014, outlines and frames the problems and causes for the migration in five basic categories: economic, professional, political, personal and social factors for migration, including questions concerning the index of satisfaction for the profession. In order to respond to the objective of the study, doctors were invited by email to fill online the questionnaire in Survey Monkey webpage. The aim of this paper is to understand the "push" factors which affect the mobility of Albanian healthcare personnel. The needs for higher income, living and working conditions are the main causes of the expansive trend of migration of healthcare workers from Albania in the past several years. Still, the reasons behind migration of health workforce are multifold, ranging from economic and professional, to political and personal factors. The lack of job satisfaction and possibilities for further education and career development, poor working conditions, political pressure, the exposure to verbal and physical violence, are also the factors that stimulate the migration.

No abstract