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April 27, 1999
Web posted at: 5:42 p.m. EDT (2142 GMT)

TIRANA, Albania (CNN) -- As refugees from Kosovo pour over the Albanian border, doctors from relief organizations have joined in to help the country cope with its growing medical crisis. But some groups are taking it a step further, striving to leave the country with a stronger health system than it had when they arrived.

AmeriCARES is one of the organizations that is not only helping the refugees, but working to strengthen the medical system in Albania, one of the poorest countries in Europe.

John Reihl and Dr. Robert Bristow head up the AmeriCARES delegation. They are visiting the country's Ministry of Health, as well as hospitals and refugee camps, to determine the best way to cooperate with local authorities.

In the past, relief operations would set up parallel medical systems in countries like Albania. Once the crisis passed, those structures were withdrawn, leaving nothing behind. Aid organizations have learned over the years that temporary fixes are not enough.

Medical Correspondent Eileen O'Connor talked with AmeriCARES workers about their plans to make Albania's health care better.