Dr. Artan Ruka

Dr. Artan Ruka is a neurologist at the University Hospital Centre Mother Teresa (QSUT) in Tirana, Albania's leading academic hospital. With 17 years of clinical neurology practice, he has developed expertise in stroke management, epilepsy, and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. Ruka completed a neurology fellowship at the University of Bologna in Italy, where he trained in stroke unit management and the latest evidence-based approaches to MS treatment. Italy's close ties with Albania — the two countries share only the Strait of Otranto — have made it a natural training destination for Albanian physicians.

He returned to Albania where he has been instrumental in establishing a stroke protocol at QSUT and in developing MS treatment services. He introduced thrombolysis for eligible acute ischemic stroke patients, significantly improving outcomes for Albanians presenting with stroke.

Dr. Ruka is an EAN member and participates in regional Balkan neurology educational networks. He is known for his commitment to evidence-based neurology and for his accessible communication with patients and families.

Dr. Ruka obtained his MD from the University of Medicine Tirana in 2004. He completed his neurology residency at QSUT and undertook a neurology fellowship at the University of Bologna, Italy (2009–2010), specializing in stroke and MS. His PhD from the University of Medicine Tirana in 2013 focused on stroke outcomes and thrombolysis safety in the Albanian population. He is a member of the European Academy of Neurology and is certified by the Albanian Medical Association in neurology.

Dr. Ruka's clinical expertise covers stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, and migraine. In stroke care, he leads thrombolysis decisions for acute ischemic stroke and manages secondary stroke prevention. In epilepsy, he evaluates seizure disorders and prescribes antiepileptic drug therapy with EEG monitoring. In MS, he prescribes and monitors disease-modifying therapies and manages relapses. He performs EEG, EMG, nerve conduction studies, and lumbar puncture, and provides comprehensive outpatient neurology care.

Dr. Ruka has published over 14 peer-reviewed articles in Albanian and Italian neurology journals. His research focuses on stroke epidemiology and thrombolysis safety in Albania, MS disease burden in the Albanian population, and neurology service development in a resource-limited setting. He collaborates with neurologists in Italy and participates in EAN educational programs and Balkan neurology networks.

Dr. Ruka speaks Albanian, Italian, and English and sees patients from Albania's large diaspora in Italy, Switzerland, and the UK. QSUT coordinates international patient neurology consultations. Video consultations are available for second opinions and MS monitoring follow-up. He provides neurology guidance to diaspora patients and assists with facilitating referrals to Italian neurology centers for conditions requiring more advanced investigation.

Dr. Ruka received the Albanian Society of Neurology Award for Clinical Excellence in 2018. He was recognized by QSUT for his leadership in establishing the stroke thrombolysis program and MS treatment service. He has received EAN recognition for his contributions to neurology service development in Albania.