"You need connections"
How does the absence of welfare normalize everyday corruption in Kosovo?
Corruption is not always a concept understood in the same way by everyone.
According to Miftaraj, the Yugoslav legacy, together with the lack of will among governments to confront their own corruption has continued to normalize everyday corruption and weaken society's ability to recognize it as a problem.
According to Haxhiaj, the practices of corruption have become so common that people who take part in them can sincerely say they have nothing to do with corruption.
At the root of this problem, Ramaj sees a lack of a functional health information system and clear communication among patients, institutions and healthcare professionals.
Despite her criticisms of the public healthcare system, she does not think patients should be forced to pay bribes to secure an appointment.
Dafina Halili
Dafina Halili is a senior journalist at K2.0, covering mainly human rights and social justice issues. Dafina has a master’s degree in diversity and the media from the University of Westminster in London, U.K..
This story was originally written in Albanian.