Arben Vitia

Arben Vitia (born 24 December 1973) is a Kosovar Albanian medical doctor and politician, who previously served as minister of health of the Republic of Kosovo.[1]

Arben Vitia
Official portrait as MP, 2021
Minister of Health
Assumed office
26 December 2022
PresidentVjosa Osmani
Prime MinisterAlbin Kurti
Preceded byDafina Gexha-Bunjaku (acting)
In office
22 March 2021  1 October 2021
PresidentGlauk Konjufca (acting)
Vjosa Osmani
Prime MinisterAlbin Kurti
Preceded byArmend Zemaj
Succeeded byRifat Latifi
In office
4 February 2020  3 June 2020
PresidentHashim Thaçi
Prime MinisterAlbin Kurti
Preceded byUran Ismaili
Succeeded byArmend Zemaj
Personal details
Born (1973-12-24) 24 December 1973
Pristina, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo)
NationalityKosovan Albanian
Political partyVetëvendosje
SpouseMerita Kasumi Vitia
Children2
EducationUniversity of Tirana

Biography

He received his education at the University of Tirana, Albania, and worked as a general practitioner and consultant in Kosovo. In 2010, he join the Vetëvendosje Movement, then a nascent opposition party in Kosovo politics. Having led Vetëvendosje's healthcare committee in the past, he has been the leader of the party branch in the municipality of Prishtina since 2018.

In 2013–2018, Vitia served as director of the healthcare and social welfare department at the Municipality of Pristina.

In the 2019 parliamentary elections, Vitia earned a seat with Vetëvendosje, which became the largest political party in the country.[2] On 3 February 2020, he gave up his seat to be sworn in as minister of health in the first Kurti government.[3]

Vitia returned to government after the 2021 elections, as a candidate for MP, but resigned to serve as minister of health in the second Kurti government. He focused primarily on COVID-19 vaccination during his term.[4]

In August 2021, Vitia was chosen as Vetëvendosje's candidate for mayor of Pristina,[5][6] but declined to campaign while serving as health minister. He was released from office on 1 October 2021, roughly two weeks prior to the election, which was held on 17 October. He came at the top in the first round with 46.3 percent of the vote, but he was defeated by Përparim Rama in the 14 November runoff.[7]

Vitia remains active as a member of the Vetëvendosje presidency and leader of the Pristina branch. He is married to Merita Kasumi Vitia, a pediatrician, and has two sons.

References

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