PRISTINA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Thousands of Kosovo doctors went on strike on Tuesday after the government failed to deliver a promised pay rise, cancelling operations and turning away patients at state hospitals. "We will treat emergency cases only," said Asllan Bajrami, president of the Health Trade Union. About 13,000 health workers in Kosovo struck in October to demand more pay, calling off the action after the government pledged to give them 44-euro per month increase. Bajrami said the government failed to deliver its promise. In this poor country of 2 million people, doctors earn 220 euros per month, nurses 147 euros and technicians 120 euros. Kosovo has no health insurance and the state-run hospitals are in poor condition. Patients often go to neighbouring countries for treatment. A year after the Albanian majority proclaimed independence, Kosovo remains heavily reliant on international aid. Tensions between Albanians and ethnic Serbs who refuse to recognise Pristina institutions remain high, 10 years after NATO air raids to halt the killing of civilians in 1998-99 war. Hospitals in the Serb parts of Kosovo are run and financed by Belgrade. (Reporting by Fatos Bytyci; editing by Ivana Sekularac and Angus MacSwan)
An Albanian farmer works at his vineyard near the city of Lushnje, some 80 km (50 miles) south of Albania's capital Tirana, February 13, 2009. REUTERS/Arben Celi (ALBANIA) ...
