Alush Gashi, former Minister of Health of Kosovo and one of the founders of the Democratic League of Kosovo, has passed away.
The news was announced by his family through a Facebook post.
“Dear friends,
It is with deep sorrow that we inform you that our beloved Alush Gashi has passed away.
Family, relatives, and friends will always remember him with love, respect, and gratitude for the life, work, and memories he left behind.
Details regarding the ceremony will be announced in due time,” wrote his son, Anil Gashi.
Gashi played an important role in the struggle of Kosovo Albanians for self-determination. In 1989, while serving as Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Prishtina, he became part of the founding group of the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK).
Throughout his political career, he was a close associate and senior advisor to Ibrahim Rugova and also served as LDK’s secretary for foreign relations. He participated in negotiations aimed at preventing war in Kosovo and remained politically active after the conflict.
In the 2007 elections, Gashi was among the most voted representatives in Kosovo’s parliament. He was also a signatory of Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence and served as Minister of Health from November 2007 until April 2010.
A professor of anatomy by profession, Gashi continued contributing to public and political life for decades. In 2019, he was elected as a member of the General Council of LDK, and in 2020 he became political advisor to former Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti.
Known for his extensive experience in foreign policy and strong international connections, especially with the United States, Gashi remained an influential figure within LDK even in later years.
In 2021, he founded the Institute of Foreign Relations, the first institution of its kind in Kosovo focused on promoting debate and strategy regarding the country’s foreign policy, diplomatic recognition, and international integration.
