Well-known writer and translator, Meri Lalaj, passed away today at the age of 79.
Lalaj was affected by Covid-19 about a month and a half ago and was treated at the Infectious Diseases Hospital. Meanwhile, he was released from the hospital after a week, but the virus left consequences in his esophagus. The writer was admitted again about 3 weeks ago at QSUT to the gastrology ward. On Monday he was released from the hospital and treated at a nursing home. Her health condition deteriorated and yesterday she was hospitalized in "Shefqet Ndroqi" hospital. As this afternoon she closed her eyes in the arms of her only daughter.
Writer Lalaj is also known as Helena Kadare's childhood friend. Last week, the last edition of Meri Lalaj was published, where she shared her memories with Helena and Ismail Kadare over the years.
Meri Lalaj was a grateful woman when she left the Infectious Diseases Hospital and did this writing about the way she was treated by the white shirts.
"Although I had all three vaccines, I got sick from Covid. I did not want to go to the hospital, but when the work arrived that I could not breathe, I was forced to and I was taken by ambulance. At the gate of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, when they came down to me, a man asked me: "Do you have a gold pendant, a ring, etc.?" "No," I replied, thinking that there was a reaction to the medicine with these tools (without killing the mind a little further). Then they forced me to leave the bag with my relatives because no money was allowed with me. Only the necessary mobile phones, glasses and medicines were allowed. I was very dizzy in those moments, but later I thought how did I not ask "Are books allowed?".
I was introduced to the newly built Infectious Diseases Emergency, where two male nurses, especially Olsi Preza, who stayed with me almost all night, Olsi, calm, punctual, serious, continued to work on my treatment as a scientist.
In the morning I was sent to the pavilion On the morning visit, although it is a break, comes Professor Najada Çomo, "Praise be to you!" (according to Dritëroit) Dr. Najada! It is the first time we meet in front of each other: I am sick and she is the doctor. Last year we were both elected candidates for deputies in the People's Assembly in opposite political directions, but I adore and appreciate her work so relentlessly. And how wise was the Professor who, although she won the election, refused to become an ordinary MP who shakes an expensive bag and parades in the courtyard of the People's Assembly, because Dr. Najada in her person is enough for some deputies,
I was surprised when Professor Najada came for the morning visit on Catholic Easter Sunday, as well as on Monday which was a holiday. She comes every morning accompanied by the swarm of nurses, who follow her with attention and care. She walks down the hall corridor tall, agile, authoritarian, red-haired wearing a virus-protective suit, and so it seems to me like those cosmonaut women aiming for the skies, but the Professor also has her "cosmos", the Infectious Diseases Hospital, which she runs. .
My daughter came from Germany and brought me a book, The Principle of Faith, written by journalist Georg Meck and dedicated to one of the most successful people in Germany, Mr. Ortin Goldbeck, in whose company my daughter is fortunate to work. "Believing in others and enjoying their trust has enriched my life in many ways," said Orton Goldbeck. I think these words best suit Professor Najada Çomo as well, because she believes in the team she leads and they reward that trust with their hard work. I have to start with the pavilion cleaners, which keep the environment sparkling. I was surprised when the ice white sheets were changed every morning. All nurses look beautiful because they perform their noble mission with silence and patience. Although with face masks, they work with love and their eyes shine when the sick recover. In the room where I stay in the hospital come two doctors, one blonde, Edlira Petoshati who takes care of my friend from Vlora Shpresa Dule, with whom I spent the days also exchanging experiences as a mother and grandmother. The other doctor, the brunette Migena Qato is the doctor who follows my illness, attentive to everything in my body. Head nurse Rita told me that when the epidemic was at its peak, Dr. Migena carried on her fragile shoulders half of the cases that lay in the ward. brunette Migena Qato is the doctor who follows my illness, attentive to everything in my body. Head nurse Rita told me that when the epidemic was at its peak, Dr. Migena carried on her fragile shoulders half of the cases that lay in the ward. brunette Migena Qato is the doctor who follows my illness, attentive to everything in my body. Head nurse Rita told me that when the epidemic was at its peak, Dr. Migena carried on her fragile shoulders half of the cases that lay in the ward.
I want to mention the nurses who served me: Flora who will soon retire, Manjola (as my daughter's name), Majlinda, Albana, Amarildo, Fatjoni, Onajda, Suada, Anisa, Blerina, Grizi (I did not finish reading the book ), Malbora, the sweet Korçar who calmly and patiently stayed with me for over two hours, Emiljana, the two Janes, especially, the curly one, Albina "eyelash with dew", Aida Përmetarja, Ledio who speaks good English (with a colonial bag) and who helped me to eat, I owe it to Florit because every day he bought me coffee with his own money at the hospital club, the extraordinary Dora, Sonila who easily found the arteries and Ilirjani who found the veins, Klodi from Burrel who reads fiction and who I want to give her a book, little Albanian baby so careful… Forgive me if I forgot someone who is so good and I will always have them in mind.
Finally: being admitted to the Infectious Diseases Hospital is not just a number on a medical record, but you feel respected. Thank you Covid team for bringing me back to life ”!