Anton Ashta (1895–1977), malariologist, doctor of sciences, Hero of Socialist Work, was born in Shkodër. He studied medicine in Rome (1915–1921). He was appointed general practitioner in Lezhë (1922–1923) and Shkodër (1923–1928). In the years 1928-1929 he completed a specialization at the High School of Malaria in Rome. Upon returning to his homeland, he served as a malariologist in the Municipality of Tirana and chief specialist for the eradication of malaria (1929–1945). In the years 1945-1966, he was in charge of the antimalarial section at the Ministry of Health. Thanks to the work and efforts of Anton Ashta and his associates, it was possible to eradicate malaria in Albania (1960). He published the monograph “Malaria” (1932), the first scientific study on this disease in our country, and the book “Malaria në Shqipëri” (“Malaria in Albania”) (1961). Anton Ashta was a member of the malaria expert commission in the World Health Organization (1957-1970). He received the Republic Award of the First Degree. (In the photo: Anton Ashta)
Text: Albanian encyclopedic dictionary – Vol. 1 , Academy of Sciences of Albania, “Kristalina-KH”, Tirana, 2008, page 138.
Photo: © https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rexhep_Mala
Graphic processing: AHCF
