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The Albanian state tradition is lacking to support humanitarian initiatives such as the Albanian Medical Federation in Europe, which is doing a lot for the health of our compatriots in the Balkans and EU countries.
Here's how we will unite Albanian doctors in Europe.
In an interview for the local media, Aurora Dollenberg shows how they will unite Albanian doctors in Europe
Dr. Aurora Dollenberg, with years of a successful career as a doctor and scientist in Germany, but working every day to unite Albanian doctors. A recent initiative taken by you as the President of the Albanian Medical Federation in Europe is networking doctors in Iceland. What is the goal of this project?
The next project of the Albanian Medical Federation in Europe, which I lead, is the networking of doctors in Iceland, as this cold Scandinavian country is a very unique and attractive destination, now also for Albanians. We have identified many doctors there who have invited us to go and join them as doctors of the Federation. We are very happy to go there because the initial reception from the Albanian community there is truly remarkable. The patriotism there, as they are far away from Albania, is at its maximum. We have a meeting on June 10th, and I am happy that we will have a delegation from Albania, Kosovo, and other Albanian-speaking regions, as well as European countries. Even you as staff are welcome.
Have you found support among Albanian doctors in these missions?
We have not found institutional support when it comes to organizing various medical conferences that the Federation holds in Europe. A greater state tradition is still needed to support humanitarian initiatives such as that of the Albanian Medical Federation. On the other hand, there is an extraordinary interest among doctors themselves to join and be part of a common structure like the Federation. Throughout Europe, we have more than 3,000 doctors working and living, and so far we have established branches in 7 different countries, including Sweden, Denmark, Italy, Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia. We have the upcoming mission in Iceland, and this is how we will continue in 27 different European countries that are waiting for us to visit and establish their branches.
How has the Federation, founded by you, served Albania and Albanians?
I believe the Medical Federation is not only the only registered medical structure at the European level but also an example that we as Albanians can come together and achieve much higher goals than a medical association. Through the Federation, we have engaged in continuous lobbying in the European Union to raise the profile of Albanians academically, scientifically, and in Albania's EU membership and in implementing projects at the European level for improving healthcare in Albania and Albanian regions. The role of the Federation is crucial when it comes to a more European future for Albania and the entire region.
What led Dr. Aurora to leave her homeland? Did you think that Albania could not offer you the conditions to practice the profession as you desired, or was it the ambition for more knowledge and an international career?
You completed three specializations in Germany as a Specialist in Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine and Psychotherapy. Why this choice?
I aimed to cover all the edges of medicine, be it the day-to-day medicine that a trusted family doctor does, or the emergencies that we as a doctor must always be prepared to face successfully to save the patient's life and to move to the part of the psyche, which allows me to treat those patients who have anxiety and depression disorders with more attention, as we treat a cardiac emergency, diabetes or other diseases of the body.
How difficult has it been for you to integrate into German medicine?
Integration in Germany has been very difficult since Albanian doctors are never considered the same as German doctors. Many years must pass, to prove with hard work and professional correctness that we also have that German standard to be accepted by them and respected by them. It is a possible mission as long as we learn and specialize.
Between the German language, the professional side and leaving the homeland. You single out this as the most difficult part during the first years of your stay in Germany.
The German language has been very difficult and after a decade of living here, there are grammatical errors and accents, as you know the mother tongue is never done. In so many years here I have started to think in German and in fact many European countries such as Germany have many favors when it comes to culture, to a lifestyle that is very healthy and allows you to be an individual who grows every day and is pleased with himself.
At what point does a doctor say to himself, I did the job right now?
At the moment when I faced the first emergencies and saved the first lives, I felt like a successful doctor who exceeded even the highest stresses. This has allowed me not only to feel very competent, but at the same time to understand that the dream I had when I was a student to save lives came true. That's why I have a thank you for my family, my husband who supported me in this dream and never gave up.
The pandemic changed the world in many ways. Did you find the positive side of the coronavirus period in the impact on the population, that the negative ones are already known?
The pandemic is a situation which proved that health systems have their own defects. Even the Albanian health system had many challenges, but it also created opportunities to identify deficiencies and improve them in the years to come. Undoubtedly, this disease did not leave its mark on the health of the population. More than 30 percent of the mental illnesses we are experiencing now have come only from the pandemic, not to neglect the various diseases, either neurological or cardiovascular, which are directly related to the passing of covid 19 or may have arisen as side effect after vaccination with anti covid vaccines. So the world experienced a great trauma confronting the pandemic, but it allowed us to grow more and learn more about our health. We can say that many patients have managed to give up smoking, alcohol and other vices of daily life by living healthier and moving more.
It was precisely this period that virtually brought to Albania many doctors who with their experience and knowledge helped the Albanians to face the invisible enemy, covid 19. Do you think this came from Albania's need for white shirts or were the doctors themselves invested for their country, showing that even though they are physically far away, they have never left Albania?
The departure of doctors from Albania is a wound for Albanian society, as there are significant investments made by Albanian taxpayers to produce a doctor, and at that moment, that Albanian diploma emigrates either to Germany or to other European countries, resulting in a great loss for the Albanian population in need of qualified doctors. The pandemic highlighted the central role of doctors in healthcare. Therefore, it is important that the Albanian government is taking measures to increase salaries and career opportunities. These measures are being implemented, but there is a need for continuous improvement to align with European standards, and in this way, Albania can become a competitor to Germany to prevent the hemorrhage of doctors in the future. As a doctor, I contribute through telemedicine and conferences. I strive to be present every day in Albanian medicine and even spend from my personal income to achieve a standard in the future. I believe that each of us has a moral obligation to contribute to our country.
What is Dr. Aurora's next project that you can exclusively reveal to Probizz.al?
The next project is to implement several projects sponsored by the EU aimed at improving healthcare standards in medicine, specifically those criteria that the EU also requires for membership. To achieve this, it is necessary to network Albanian experts scattered across Europe. Our relentless mission will be to go to European countries and find these academics and professionals and motivate them to contribute to their homeland.