On August 20, the Ministry of Health will publish data on the epidemic in Gostivar

The condition of the patients who sought treatment at Gostivar Hospital after problems caused by the water is improving. Authorities declared the water safe to drink as of Friday, while the hospital has completed the disinfection process and is awaiting final approval from the Ministry of Health to resume operating-room activities.

Over the past 24 hours, a significant decrease has been observed in the number of people showing signs of poisoning or similar symptoms. According to hospital officials, no new cases involving complications or serious hospitalizations have been recorded.

Before the operating rooms can reopen, the hospital underwent full disinfection, both horizontally and vertically. Samples have been collected, and the only thing now awaited is the response from the Institute of Public Health and the Ministry of Health, which is necessary for surgical procedures to resume.

Health Minister Sasho Klekovski said that the results of the water analyses in Gostivar would not be made public by the Ministry, as they belong to the Public Utility Company and the Municipality of Gostivar. He announced that on August 20, the institution he heads will publish all data related to the epidemic.

The Health Center and the Municipality of Gostivar confirmed several days ago that the Public Utility Company “Komunalec” had a contract with the Public Health Center in Gostivar. Meanwhile, the Prosecutor’s Office is investigating why an earlier notice was not issued that the water was unsafe to drink, since under the agreement the Public Health Center was required to conduct analyses twice a week.

The pumps were installed on June 25, a date linked to suspicions of water contamination in Gostivar. The first symptoms among patients appeared on July 14, about 20 days later.