Blockage of the southeast axis, obstacle for ambulances/Delays and risk to the lives of patients

2026-02-28 14:00:00, Sociale CNA

The blockage of the main Librazhd-Përrenjas axis has forced the movement of vehicles towards the alternative Maliq-Lozhan-Strelcë-Gramsh road, a segment that according to citizens is becoming a serious problem, especially for the health service and the movement of ambulances from Korça to regional hospitals and those in the capital.

Residents say the road is in a dilapidated condition, with sharp curves and damaged sections, which significantly lengthens travel times. For family members transporting seriously ill patients, the situation becomes even more dramatic.

"The road is bad. I came from Tirana the day before yesterday, I went to Librazhd from the villages there. We had a patient with paralysis, we took him out of the hospital and admitted him there. What can I tell you? What have we done. A very difficult situation and it is insoluble, for 2-3 months not once. Those who are in serious condition... let them die, let them escape, there is no other way", says a citizen.

Citizens emphasize that this is not simply a local concern, but affects the entire south of the country, as the axis is considered vital for the connection with the rest of Albania.

"The road is the main one, because it is the entire south of Albania. It's not like one or two were blocked. What can I think? I call them dead," says a citizen.

According to them, if previously the journey to Elbasan took about two hours, now through Lozhani and Moglica the time increases significantly, reaching up to three hours. This delay also directly affects ambulances that transport patients to more specialized hospitals.

"The road here is slow. If before you had to leave for 2 hours in Elbasan, now you have to leave from Lozhani and Moglica and it takes longer. Maybe they open the way for the ambulance to leave faster, but the road still takes 3 hours," the citizens say.

Residents demand immediate intervention from the responsible institutions to improve the alternative segment, emphasizing that every minute of delay can be crucial for the lives of patients being transported urgently. Until then, the Maliq-Lozhan-Strelcë-Gramsh road remains a daily challenge for citizens and emergency services. /CNA