Former Socialist Prime Minister Fatos Nano has been in the hospital for days, where he is fighting to stay alive. 

Nano is in intensive care, as he suffers from a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease otherwise known as COPD. 

This is a disease (pathology) that affects the lungs and can be prevented. 

It is characterized by an irreversible or partially reversible narrowing (obstruction) of the airways. 

This obstruction is usually progressive and is associated with an abnormal chronic inflammatory response of the lungs against dust particles and/or gases such as: carbon monoxide present in tobacco smoke and carbon dioxide found in the polluted ambient air that surrounds us . 

In Albania, this pathology is not well known and as a result remains undiagnosed, but studies show that our country has a high prevalence of COPD, affecting approximately 5-6% of the population. 

Smoking is the main and most common cause. Other factors are also known, among which are mentioned: environmental pollution, ?1-antitrypsin deficiency, age, food diet and little physical activity. 

Earlier today, Prime Minister Edi Rama decorated Fatos Nano with the Great Cordon with Star of Public Appreciation. 

Through a status posted on the "Facebook" social network, Rama appreciated the contribution of former Prime Minister Nano to the country and society "during his career with its ups and downs." 

In a few weeks, on September 16, former Prime Minister Fatos Nano celebrates his 71st birthday.