From October 1 in North Macedonia, organ donation after death will be carried out with the signature of the family doctor

In North Macedonia, the new legal solution on organ donation represents an important advance for the health system, at a time when 168 patients are waiting for a kidney, 37 are waiting for a heart, 12 for a liver and 23 for corneas. This was stated today by Health Minister Azir Aliu during a press conference focused on transplantation.

According to Aliu, one of the most humane, most courageous and at the same time most successful processes developed in this sector is now being closed in healthcare.

He stated that with the adoption of amendments to the Law on Removal and Transplantation of Parts of the Human Body for Treatment Purposes, the state has taken a determined step forward. According to him, an issue that for a long time remained in the shadow of fear and was dealt with only in hospital corridors has now become a public debate, carried out with responsibility and dignity. He emphasized that organ donation today is linked to trust, individual will, solidarity and the maturity of our society.

The minister also added that this process did not begin in Parliament and does not end with the vote on the law.

According to him, everything started with the decision to bring the topic out into the open. He mentioned the campaign “Organ donation gives the highest meaning to humanity,” videos of doctors and medical teams, forums, public speeches and messages explaining the human dimension of being an organ donor. Aliu stressed that the goal was not for citizens to hear only about procedures, but to understand that behind every transplant are human lives, waiting families and a hope that should not be left without systemic support.

In the end, he underlined that these legal amendments aim precisely to achieve that.