PM announces pension bonus and more health funding

Prime Minister Edi Rama said pensioners will receive another bonus, while cancer patients, emergency doctors and people with disabilities will get more support under new budget changes.

Rama said the government will add 15 million euros for cancer medicines and raise pay for emergency doctors.

He said support will also be doubled for people with disabilities and for children with special needs.

The measures are part of changes to the 2026 budget, which Rama said were made possible by stronger-than-expected economic growth.

Rama said extra tax revenue from the recent rise in oil prices had not been kept in the budget, but had been used for the pensioners’ bonus.

He also said the government would add money for rural and urban development and increase support for a national business programme.

Speaking on his weekly podcast, Rama said the government was listening to citizens taking part in the boulevard protest in Tirana, but accused opposition figures of using the protest to create unrest.