Minister Klekovski after inaugurating ward in Skopje: We are working to make inhumane conditions in psychiatric hospitals a thing of the past

On World Mental Health Day, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski today inaugurated the fully renovated “Men 2” ward at the Skopje Psychiatric Hospital (Bardovci), which operates as part of the Public Health Institution, the Ministry of Health said.

The ward covers an area of around 600 square meters, and €300,000 was allocated for its renovation.

Minister Klekovski recalled that four decades ago, while he was a student, one of the two most difficult experiences for him had been the inhumane conditions in psychiatric institutions. “We are working to change this,” he said.

An agreement has been reached with the hospital to include funding for ongoing renovations in its basic budget, as this is necessary for psychiatric institutions that have operated in inadequate conditions for decades.

Renovations have already been completed in all wards of the Negorci Special Psychiatric Hospital and in part of the Psychiatry Clinic in Skopje. The Psychiatric Hospital in Demir Hisar will be renovated next.

Klekovski stressed that mental health care is not limited to improving hospital conditions. Since last year, family doctors have had a preventive target for the early detection of depression among young people, while next year the Ministry of Health plans to begin implementing a project to establish mental health centers for young people.