Sept. 10 – Tirana’s first center for blood collection and research on rare genetic diseases, made possible thanks to a health cooperation project with Italy, opens on Saturday, September 13. A few days after Pope Francis’ visit to the Albanian city, the center will begin its activities. Born from the collaboration between the Magi Association, the Albert Schweitzer Association, the Magi-Euregio Social Cooperative and the Association Dhvgj (Albanian Blood Donors Volunteers), the center will host a laboratory with molecular biology (PCR) equipment, which will, during blood donations, carry out a reliable and safe test for the diagnosis and treatment of thalassemia, cystic fibrosis and hemochromatosis. The cooperation project will also give life to a Centre of Preventive Medicine that will help identify medical or behavioral conditions t not compatible with blood donation, as is the case of heart disease, gastric or duodenal ulcer, and anemia. The center will also carry out promotional activities to encourage healthy lifestyles and behaviors through awareness-raising campaigns.
