History

Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care as a science is relatively young, having made considerable progress over the last 30 years with the discovery of new drugs and the development of modern and sophisticated equipment. In the Republic of Kosovo, too, the beginning and development of anaesthesiology came relatively late.

The first generation of Albanian anaesthesiologists at the University Clinical Centre began in 1984 with Dr. Sokol Hajdini, followed in 1987 by Dr. Qamile Morina and Dr. Hysen Hyseni, and in 1988 by Dr. Zana Bukoshi, Dr. Shpëtim Robaj and Dr. Dukagjin Binishi (who continued his career in Zagreb after 1990). In 1991 the QKUK added Dr. Burbuqe Bruqi, Dr. Tefta Ahmeti, Dr. Hilmi Havolli and Dr. Zeke Zeka, while in 1993 Dr. Shpend Pula joined.

At Prizren Hospital, the first anaesthesiologist was Dr. Rafet Abazi in 1988, followed by Dr. Sherif Berisha in 1993. At Gjilan Hospital, the first anaesthesiologist was Dr. Ukshin Ismaili in 1988, who served the Anamorava region for about 20 years as its only anaesthesiologist. At Gjakova Hospital, the first anaesthesiologist was Dr. Ilir Beqiri in 1989, followed by Dr. Dugagjin Kryeziu in 1992 and Dr. Dalip Muhadri in 1995. At Peja Hospital, the first anaesthesiologist was Dr. Hilmija Kaçamakoviç in 1990. At Mitrovica Hospital, the first Albanian anaesthesiologists were Dr. Nuredin Fazliu and Dr. Bajram Koçi in 1989.

These anaesthesiologists succeeded in organising anaesthesiology as a separate service and in establishing Intensive Care with ventilators in 1988, with strong standards for the time, thereby improving patient safety during the perioperative period. Although young, these anaesthesiologists, driven by their mission for the country, matured through many historic challenges, such as treating the wounded during the bloody protests of 1988/89, the miners who shut themselves in the mines, the poisoning of students in 1990, and treating the injured during the bloody war in Kosovo in 1998/1999.

The contribution of anaesthesiologists during the war was irreplaceable in saving the lives of the wounded, often in improvised conditions in the mountains and various regions of Kosovo. During this war, on 30.09.1998, the anaesthesiologist Dr. Shpëtim Robaj was killed by wounds caused by the explosion of a mine laid by Serbian military forces. He was on his way to help the survivors of the massacre in Abri e Epërme, where four days earlier Serbian forces had massacred 23 unarmed Albanian civilians. Today, Dr. Shpëtim is remembered as a life-saver who did not hesitate to risk his own life to save many others.

The post-war period was very difficult for anaesthesiology because of the small number of anaesthesiologists – 7 at the QKUK and one or two in the regional hospitals. A decisive and necessary step at the time was the founding of the Clinic of Anaesthesiology with Intensive Care in January 2000, with Dr. Dukagjin Binishi as its first director. Thanks to Dr. Binishi’s vision and determination, the Clinic of Anaesthesiology is today the second-largest clinic at the QKUK.

The first specialist examination organised in Kosovo was in 2000, and the first specialists were Dr. Fatime Arënliu-Qosaj and Dr. Lulzim Emini. Until then, all anaesthesiologists had completed their specialisation abroad, and it was the first time that the specialist examination was held in Albanian, thanks to the commitment of professors from Tirana.

Immediately after the war, in 2000, the first specialisation posts in Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care were awarded. In 2001, the well-known French anaesthesiologist Prof. Dr. Paul Steiglitz, a proven friend of Kosovo Anaesthesiology, launched the European Project to support the education of young anaesthesiologists in our country, together with several of his colleagues from France. Prof. Dr. Jon Kerstetter and his colleagues from Johns Hopkins, USA, also made special contributions to the education of the first post-war generation of anaesthesiologists in Kosovo. Professors from Tirana also played a special role in the education and development of Kosovo Anaesthesiology over the years, including Prof. Dr. Ilir Ohri, Prof. Dr. Tritan Shehu, Prof. Dr. Mihail Kerçi and Prof. Dr. Roland Xhaxho.

In parallel with the development of anaesthesiology as a clinical discipline, the creation of a specialisation programme and the academic and scientific advancement of the profession, the Kosovo Society of Anaesthesiologists (AsKoAn) was founded in 2000 with Dr. Hysen Hyseni as its first president. It became a member of the WFSA and was transformed into the Kosovo Association of Anaesthesiologists (AsKoAn) in 2006, founded by Dr. Nehat Baftiu, Dr. Antigona Hasani and Dr. Islam Krasniqi, with Dr. Qamile Morina elected president.

In 2007 AsKoAn became a member of the ESA, initially under UNMIK and then, after the declaration of Independence, as the Republic of Kosovo in 2009. In 2009 AsKoAn also became a member of the global WFSA family of anaesthesiologists as the Republic of Kosovo. In 2014, for the first time, we had a representative from AsKoAn on the ESAIC Council, the highest decision-making body of ESAIC. The first representative on the ESAIC Council was Dr. Agreta Gecaj-Gashi from 2014 to 2020, followed by Dr. Medita Hashimi (2020–2025) and Dr. Shaqir Uka from 2025 onwards.

The foundation for the continuing education programme under the European FEEA programmes (“Foundation for European Education of Anaesthesiologists”) was laid by Prof. Dr. P. Stieglitz, with Prof. Dr. Ph. Scherpereele as leader of this programme. The first Postgraduate Education Course in Anaesthesiology under FEEA patronage, with the main topic “Respiratory”, was held in October 2007 with European accreditation in Prishtina. Since then, our Society has continued to organise this course every year under the new name “Committee for European Education in Anaesthesiology (CEEA)” and under the patronage of ESAIC. In addition, our Society has organised two international conferences and numerous seminars and professional meetings.

In the academic field, in 1990, the first assistants in anaesthesiology at the Faculty of Medicine were Dr. Zana Bukoshi, Dr. Shpëtim Robaj, Dr. Qamile Morina and Dr. Sokol Hajdini. In 2013, under the leadership of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nehat Baftiu, the Department of Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation was founded at the Faculty of Medicine.

To align with ESAIC, in 2020 AsKoAn changed its name to the Kosovo Society of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists (SHAIK). Since 2024, there are 113 anaesthesiologists/intensivists and 56 residents in Kosovo.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a particular challenge and, despite the dedication and commitment of anaesthesiologists, it cost the lives of two respected colleagues, Dr. Sylejman Dulla and Dr. Afrim Tasholli.

Focus

Today, KSAI continues to focus on:

• Improving anaesthesia techniques and patient safety.
• Expanding educational opportunities for healthcare professionals.
• Supporting better health policies related to anaesthesia and intensive care.

Through these efforts, KSAI not only improves local practice but also contributes to the wider field of anaesthesiology internationally.