Outgoing Health Minister Azir Aliu said he expects the law to be adopted within the next two weeks and to begin being implemented immediately afterward.

According to the proposal, a private club would be considered a legal entity registered in accordance with the law, using enclosed premises with restricted access, intended exclusively for registered members who join voluntarily and pay a membership fee. These spaces would not be accessible to the public.

However, the group of experts that drafted the law does not support this amendment, as it believes that limiting smoking only to private clubs would not have an effect on preventing it, especially among young people.

After the law enters into force, the use of traditional and electronic cigarettes will be banned in public institutions, companies, educational institutions, bus stations and bus stops, markets, areas with heavy pedestrian traffic, as well as in vehicles when one of the passengers is a minor child.

For violators, the prescribed fines range from 100 to 300 euros for individuals, while for companies they range from 2,000 to 5,000 euros.

The legal changes also stipulate that hospitality venues will have a one-year deadline to adapt their terraces, which must be open on at least two sides.

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Health Minister Azir Aliu and the national transplant coordinator, Biljana Kuzmanovska, spoke about the new module in the “My Appointment” system, which will allow citizens to express their willingness to donate organs.

Following the legal changes, every adult citizen will be able, during a visit to their primary care doctor, to declare whether or not they wish to be a donor of organs and tissues for treatment after death. This decision will be signed by the individual, certified by the chosen doctor, and then registered in the national electronic system.

“Today, organ donation is a matter of trust, individual will, solidarity, and social maturity,” Minister Aliu said.

According to the Ministry, access to this data will be under strict control and will be granted only to authorized persons. Citizens will also have the right to change their decision at any time, while the last registered declaration will be considered valid.

The new system is expected to become operational on October 1, 2026. Until then, technical, institutional, and communication preparations will continue.

Kuzmanovska stressed that organ donation remains entirely voluntary and that the aim is to place the citizen’s will at the center of the system./Telegrafi/

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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.

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He said he will remain Minister of Health until the moment Parliament votes for a new minister, and that until then he will work every minute in service of the country’s healthcare system.

According to Aliu, when he entered politics 10 years ago, his goal was to help, while today, after 10 years and with the political experience he has gained, he is in politics to bring change. As the outgoing minister put it, this concerns changing the way politics is conducted and the way a politician should be transparent and truly function within the system.

Aliu also underlined that each of us has a duty to contribute to the community.

He said he appreciates the fact that there will be continuity in healthcare and added that he is convinced the new minister will continue the policies that have already been put in place. According to him, the reforms built so far have been systematic and for that reason will continue in the future as well.

Answering a journalist’s question, Aliu stressed that he believes digitalization is one of the key elements that should continue in healthcare.

Following the government reshuffle, leadership of the healthcare sector will be taken over by the current director of the Health Insurance Fund, Sasho Klekovski, a member of VMRO-DPMNE.

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This facility is of particular importance in the preventive healthcare system and is used as a center for carrying out school vaccination across the municipality.

A total of 5 million denars from the budget was allocated for this investment, enabling a significant improvement in working conditions and in the stay of patients.

As part of the works, the facility’s courtyard was also arranged, where parking spaces were built for patients’ needs. An additional 1 million denars was invested for this part.

“With this investment, we are ensuring better conditions for the implementation of immunization, a more efficient organization of the work process, and higher-quality service for citizens, especially for children and their families. Investments in primary health care are precisely investments in the health of future generations. Our priority is to create modern, functional, and accessible health institutions in all municipalities, because every citizen deserves quality healthcare service closer to their place of residence,” Minister Aliu said.

The Ministry of Health emphasizes that it remains committed to improving infrastructure conditions in healthcare institutions throughout the country, with the aim of providing citizens with higher-quality, more accessible, and more efficient healthcare.

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According to Aliu, the signing of the EU4Health Agreement in Brussels represents a significant development for Macedonian healthcare. He said this is the European Union’s largest programme in the field of health and that the country’s membership is clear proof of the state’s European perspective, as well as of confidence in the reforms currently being implemented.

The minister noted that the programme creates numerous opportunities for developing projects in digital health, in the prevention and early detection of diseases, in screening programmes, in oncology, in cardiovascular and mental health, in preparedness for health crises, in access to medicines and medical products, as well as in strengthening the capacities of healthcare personnel.

He also explained that EU4Health has an operational budget of 4.4 billion euros and represents the European Union’s largest investment in the health sector. Through membership in this programme, Macedonia gains the right to actively participate in European calls, grants, public procurement, joint actions and partnerships with institutions from member states and participating countries.

Aliu stressed that the agreement provides for exemption from VAT, customs duties and other fiscal obligations for goods and services financed through the programme. According to him, this is particularly important because European funds should be directed as much as possible toward the implementation of projects of public interest and the improvement of healthcare services for citizens.

He underlined that true success will not be measured solely by formal membership in the programme, but by the ability to turn European opportunities into concrete results for the healthcare system and for citizens.

The minister stated that the Ministry is prepared and that, starting next week, the next phase will begin, including the active presentation of the programme, the identification of potential beneficiaries and the preparation of institutions for participation in European calls. He added that the goal is to bring this opportunity closer to universities, medical faculties, clinics, hospitals, institutes, professional associations, patient organizations and all other relevant actors in the healthcare system.

According to the announcement, the Ministry of Health remains committed to using all available European mechanisms to advance healthcare, develop modern services and build a more sustainable, more efficient and more accessible healthcare system for citizens.

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During the formal signing ceremony, Aliu said that joining EU4Health marks an important moment for the European alignment of Macedonia’s healthcare system, as well as proof that the reforms being implemented in the country are moving in line with EU standards and priorities.

“By signing this agreement, our country becomes part of European efforts to strengthen healthcare systems, advance public health, digitalize health services, improve preparedness for health crises, and ensure higher-quality healthcare for citizens. This is not just membership in a European program, but an investment in better health services, stronger institutions, and better conditions for patients and healthcare workers. With EU4Health, our reforms gain additional European support, expertise, and partnerships,” Minister Aliu said in his remarks.

According to him, today’s signing sends an important message: North Macedonia is not content merely to declare its European orientation, but is turning it into concrete policies and tangible opportunities for citizens.

Participation in this program will give Macedonian health institutions and experts the opportunity to take part in European networks, joint projects, and initiatives focused on improving healthcare policies and services.

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