8 arrested in police operation targeting corruption scheme at “Sante Plus” Hospital

The police operation ended with the arrest of eight people, including former directors of the Health Insurance Fund and officials from the private “Sante Plus” Hospital.

Material evidence was also seized during raids in three cities, including 50,000 euros in cash and mobile phones.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs said that an organized criminal group had been dismantled. The group allegedly charged patients privately for eye operations even though the services were covered by the Fund.

The operation, led by the Prosecutor’s Office for the Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption, began on Wednesday morning. According to unofficial information, among those involved in the investigation is former Health Insurance Fund director Den Donçev, who is mentioned as the first person reported in the case.

Unofficial information about the case also mentions Ridvan Asani, former chairman of the Health Insurance Fund’s Management Board; Vesna Qamillova, former manager of “Sante” Hospital; Salih Bozkurt, the hospital’s former owner and authorized representative; Cveten Serafimovski, former director of the Control Department at the Health Insurance Fund; Zhaklina Stamenkova, former director of the Fund’s regional unit in Skopje; and Irena Popovska, the current head of the regional unit in Skopje.

According to the authorities, they are suspected of several criminal offenses, including abuse of office and official authority, negligent performance of duties, fraud and money laundering. A large number of patients treated at the hospital are also suspected to have been harmed.