Rifat Latifi announced his resignation as Health Minister on Thursday in a letter sent to Prime Minister Albin Kurti.

In his letter, Latifi stated that after many reflections over the last few months, he was offering his resignation.

“With deep disappointment and regret after many reflections over the last few months, I am informing you that I am offering my resignation from the post of Minister of Health … as of today, October 6, 2022,” the letter says.

Latifi emphasized that he had attached a 10-month report of findings and challenges as well as his achievements during his time at the Ministry.

During the last few months, Latifi has faced criticism for his many trips abroad and for the lack of concrete results in improving the health system.

The mass emigration of doctors and healthcare staff is another pressing issue for the sector.

“Many experienced and new doctors are leaving Kosovo. At the same time there are 650 unemployed doctors. They cannot wait for 5-10 years,” Pleurat Sejdiu, the head of the Health Chamber of Kosovo, said in response to a declaration of Minister Latifi – who had declared that the health system may take 5 to 10 years to fix.

In September, PM Kurti established the Executive Health Commission, to deal with “the grave situation found in the health department, because [they] are in a situation that requires urgent action.”

The commission included the Minister of Health. Critics saw this as a direct intervention by the PM in the work of the Health Minister.

In 2009, Latifi was appointed Health Advisor to the then Prime Minister, Hashim Thaçi.

Before being appointed Health Minister in November, 2021, he worked as a doctor in the United States.

Latifi completed his medical studies at the University of Prishtina, and completed his specialization in general surgery, traumatology and resuscitation in the US.