Anesthesiology and Intensive Care as a science is relatively new, having made significant progress in the last 30 years with the discovery of new medications and the development of modern and sophisticated equipment. In the Republic of Kosovo, the beginnings and development of anesthesiology are also relatively late.

The first generation of Albanian anesthesiologists at the University Clinical Center started 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, QKUK added Dr. Burbuqe Bruqi, Dr. Tefta Ahmeti, Dr. Hilmi Havolli, and Dr. Zeke Zeka, while in 1993, Dr. Shpend Pula joined.

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

These anesthesiologists managed to organize anesthesiology as a distinct service and establish Intensive Care with ventilators in 1988, with solid standards for that time, thereby enhancing patient safety during the perioperative period. Despite being young in age, these anesthesiologists, driven by their mission for the country, matured through many historical challenges, such as treating the wounded during the bloody protests of 1988/89, the miners’ closures in mines, the poisoning of students in 1990, and treating the injured during the bloody war in Kosovo in 1998/1999.

The contribution of anesthesiologists 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, anesthesiologist Dr. Shpëtim Robaj was killed by wounds caused by a landmine explosion placed by Serbian military forces. He was on his way to help survivors of the massacre in Upper Abri, where four days earlier, Serbian forces had massacred 23 unarmed Albanian civilians. Today, Dr. Shpëtim is remembered as a lifesaver who did not hesitate to risk his own life to save many others.

The post-war period for anesthesiology was very difficult due to the small number of anesthesiologists—7 in QKUK and one or two in Regional Hospitals. A crucial and necessary step for the time was the establishment of the Clinic of Anesthesiology with Intensive Care in January 2000, with Dr. Dukagjin Binishi as the first director. Thanks to Dr. Binishi’s vision and determination, today the Clinic of Anesthesiology is the second-largest clinic in QKUK.

The first specialist exam organized in Kosovo was in 2000, and the first specialists were Dr. Fatime Arënliu-Qosaj and Dr. Lulzim Emini. Until then, all anesthesiologists had completed their specialization abroad, and it was the first time that the specialist exam was held in the Albanian language, thanks to the engagement of professors from Tirana.

Immediately after the war in 2000, the first specializations for Anesthesiology and Intensive Care were granted. In 2001, renowned French anesthesiologist Prof. Dr. Paul Steiglitz, a proven friend of Kosovo Anesthesiology, started the European Project for supporting the education of young anesthesiologists in our country, along with some of his colleagues from France. Also, special contributions to the education of the first post-war generation of anesthesiologists in Kosovo were made by Prof. Dr. Jon Kerstetter and his colleagues from Johns Hopkins, USA. Professors from Tirana also played a special role in the education and development of Kosovar Anesthesiology 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 anesthesiology as a clinical discipline, the creation of a specialization program, and the academic and scientific advancement of the profession, in 2000, the Kosovo Association of Anesthesiologists (AsKoAn) was established with Dr. Hysen Hyseni as the first president. It became a member of WFSA and was transformed into the Kosovar Association of Anesthesiologists (AsKoAn) in 2006, founded by Dr. Nehat Baftiu, Dr. Antigona Hasani, and Dr. Islam Krasniqi, with Dr. Qamile Morina elected as president.

In 2007, AsKoAn became a member of 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 anesthesiologists 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 onward.

The foundation for the development of the continuing education program under the European programs FEEA (“Foundation for European Education of Anaesthesiologists”) was laid by Prof. Dr. P. Stieglitz, with Prof. Dr. Ph. Scherpereele as the leader of this program. The first Postgraduate Education Course in Anesthesiology under the FEEA patronage, with the core theme “Respiration,” was held in October 2007 with European accreditation in Pristina. Since then, our association has continued to organize this course annually under the new name “Committee for European Education in Anaesthesiology (CEEA)” and under the patronage of ESAIC. Additionally, our association has organized two international conferences and numerous seminars and professional meetings.

In the academic field, in 1990, the first assistants in anesthesiology 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 Prof. Ass. Dr. Nehat Baftiu, the Department of Anesthesiology and Resuscitation was established at the Faculty of Medicine.

To align with ESAIC, in 2020, AsKoAn changed its name to the Kosovo Association of Anesthesiologists and Intensivists (ShAIK). As of 2024, there are 113 anesthesiologists/intensivists and 56 residents in Kosovo.

The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge of its own and, despite the dedication and commitment of anesthesiologists, cost the lives of two esteemed colleagues, Dr. Sylejman Dulla and Dr. Afrim Tasholli.

Presidents of AKA/AsKoAn/ShAIK over the years:
– Dr. Hysen Hyseni (2000–2006)
– Dr. Qamile Morina (2006–2010)
– Dr. Islam Krasniqi (2010–2014)
– Dr. Gazmend Spahija (2014–2019)
– Dr. Lulzim Emini (2019–2024)