Closer to treatment, closer to home: Mane Foundation renovates the Chemotherapy Clinic in Vlora
For a patient undergoing chemotherapy, every journey avoided matters. Every hour spent off the road, every reduced expense, and every opportunity to receive treatment closer to home can make a difficult process a little easier to manage. With this in mind, Mane Foundation has completed the renovation of the Chemotherapy and Palliative Care Clinic at Vlora Regional Hospital, creating more modern conditions for oncology patients from the city and surrounding areas.
The intervention included the full renovation of the treatment room, upgrades to the electrical system and lighting, decorative works, the reorganization and separation of treatment stations, as well as the installation of specialized chemotherapy chairs.
But the most important change is the one felt every day by patients and medical staff. Dr. Adil Brahimi, oncologist at Vlora Regional Hospital, describes the renovation as a long-standing necessity.
“It was a necessity. Over the years, there had been small improvements, but patients need continuous support.”
According to him, the new conditions not only improve the experience of patients, but also make it easier for doctors and medical staff to provide care in a more functional and appropriate environment. Around 10 patients per day receive chemotherapy treatment at the clinic, while Vlora Regional Hospital serves approximately 150–200 patients every day across its services.
For many oncology patients, the renovation means they can now receive treatment in Vlora without having to travel regularly to Tirana. One of the patients describes the change simply:
“It is a new and very functional ward. Until now, we often had to travel all the way to Tirana.”
Less travel means less fatigue, lower costs and more time close to loved ones, at a time when that closeness can matter most. The Director of Vlora Regional Hospital also expressed appreciation for the support provided by Mane Foundation, highlighting the importance of improved conditions for both the quality of care and the patients who receive treatment at the hospital every day.
Vlora is the second hospital where an intervention of this kind has been carried out, following the University Hospital Center in Tirana, as part of the commitment of Mane Foundation and Samir Mane to renovate and improve chemotherapy and palliative care facilities in hospitals across Albania.
The renovated clinic is located on the first floor of the hospital, near the admissions area, and has been designed to provide patients with a more functional, accessible and dignified environment for treatment. For Mane Foundation, this intervention is part of a broader commitment to supporting initiatives that directly improve people’s lives and bring tangible change where it is needed most.
Sometimes, improving a space does more than change the way a service is delivered. It can also change the way a difficult day is experienced.
