Arben Vitia | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait as MP, 2021 | |
| Minister of Health | |
| Assumed office 26 December 2022 | |
| President | Vjosa Osmani |
| Prime Minister | Albin Kurti |
| Preceded by | Dafina Gexha-Bunjaku (acting) |
| In office 22 March 2021 – 1 October 2021 | |
| President | Glauk Konjufca (acting) Vjosa Osmani |
| Prime Minister | Albin Kurti |
| Preceded by | Armend Zemaj |
| Succeeded by | Rifat Latifi |
| In office 4 February 2020 – 3 June 2020 | |
| President | Hashim Thaçi |
| Prime Minister | Albin Kurti |
| Preceded by | Uran Ismaili |
| Succeeded by | Armend Zemaj |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 24 December 1973 Pristina, SR Serbia, SFR Yugoslavia (now Kosovo) |
| Nationality | Kosovan Albanian |
| Political party | Vetëvendosje |
| Spouse | Merita Kasumi Vitia |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of Tirana |
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]
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
- ↑ "Arben Vitia".
- ↑ "Early Elections for Assembly of Republic of Kosovo 2019". Kosovo Central Election Commission. Retrieved 23 May 2022.
- ↑ "Arben Vitia appointed Minister of Health".
- ↑ "Kjo është puna e parë që e bëri Arben Vitia pasi rimori detyrën e Ministrit të Shëndetësisë". 28 December 2022.
- ↑ "Zyrtari i Vetëvendosjes konfirmon Arben Vitinë kandidat për të parin e Prishtinës". Telegrafi. 2 August 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ↑ "Arben Vitia". Lëzivja VETËVENDOSJE!. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
- ↑ "Prishtina në balotazh, sipas sondazhit të Klan Kosovës, prin Arben Vitia". Telegrafi. 14 October 2021. Retrieved 14 September 2022.