The University Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery in Skopje held several days of specialized consultations to determine the further treatment of patients affected by the tragic fire in Koçan.

The expert visit was organized at the initiative of the Clinic’s director, Prim. Dr. Jasmina Gjorgjievska Pavllovska. Subspecialist Dr. Igor Malkoviq, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon with many years of experience treating the most severe burn cases, took part, the institution announced.

During his stay, detailed assessments and professional consultations were conducted for each patient. The doctors drew up individual plans for their treatment in stages, considering the restoration of function, the possibility of further surgical procedures and the expected outcomes.

As part of the visit, complex reconstructive surgery was also performed on a patient who was among those most seriously injured in the Koçan fire.

The procedure was carried out thanks to the cooperation and joint professional commitment of Dr. Malkoviq, Prim. Dr. Gjorgjievska Pavllovska, Prim. Dr. Trençev, Asst. Dr. Naceska Gjorgjevska, Asst. Dr. Jovanovski, specialist Dr. Maksutlar, specialist Dr. Trajkov, as well as residents Dr. Stavriq, Dr. Shemov, Dr. Pejoska and Dr. Onçev. The anesthesiology team, operating room nurses and the Clinic’s entire staff also assisted in the process, the statement said.

According to the Clinic, his participation was important in planning the next steps in treatment. The initiative aims to implement modern reconstructive surgery practices and encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience with renowned experts from the region. At the same time, it demonstrates that care for patients from Koçan remains among the institution’s top priorities.

The treatment of a patient with severe burns does not end with saving their life or healing their wounds. This is followed by a long and complex process involving reconstructive procedures, rehabilitation and the gradual restoration of function, independence and quality of life.

Caring for these patients requires knowledge, experience, patience and close cooperation among professionals. The outcome is measured not only by the success of an operation, but also by every subsequent improvement that helps the patient use their hands again, return to everyday life and regain hope for the future.

The University Clinic for Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery said it would continue to provide uninterrupted, modern and comprehensive healthcare to those injured in the Koçan fire.

Through the commitment of specialists, professors, residents, nurses and other healthcare staff, as well as cooperation with renowned experts from the region and around the world, the Clinic aims to achieve the best possible outcomes for every patient, the public healthcare institution said in its statement.

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The World Health Organization has called on health authorities in the south of the continent to increase vigilance after several new cases of West Nile fever have emerged.

Updated data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) show that since the start of the mosquito season, over 240 people have tested positive for this virus in seven European countries. All infections occurred within the territory of these countries, meaning patients did not contract the disease while traveling abroad.

Italy tops the list with 139 confirmed cases, and out of 59 affected areas across Europe, 36 are located there, mainly in the northern regions. Meanwhile, Greece has registered 61 infected, Spain 17, and North Macedonia 13 cases.

Romania has reported six patients, France four, and Germany one local case in the Rhine-Pfalz district of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. However, including imported infections, the total number in Germany for this year reaches five.

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The epidemiological situation in Gostivar remains stable, while the relevant health institutions continue to monitor it closely, the Ministry of Health announced.

On August 1, 57 patients underwent initial examinations, three fewer than the previous day, when the number was 60.

No new hospital admissions were recorded over the past 24 hours.

Ministry data show that, as of August 1, a total of 1,041 cases of infectious diseases had been reported in Gostivar, while health services had conducted 734 epidemiological surveys.

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The executive has given the green light for the hiring of 300 specialists from the private sector in state hospitals and health centers, with a deadline of 2026.

The Ministry of Health informs that the measure aims to stop the departure of young doctors abroad, address the pronounced vacancies in specialist positions, and increase the capacities of clinics, hospitals and health centers.

Another key objective is a more equal distribution of medical staff across the entire territory and the reduction of waiting lists for citizens.

Minister of Health Klekovski described this as a strategic investment for the future of healthcare and for the professional growth of the new generation of doctors, emphasizing that the main goal remains for them to develop their careers within Macedonia. The recruitment process will be guided by the concrete requests of public health institutions, prioritizing those areas facing the greatest shortage of specialists.

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During today’s press conference, Health Minister Sasho Klekovski announced the detection of three new patients affected by vector-borne diseases. Two of them have been admitted to the Infectious Diseases Clinic, while one is in the Neurology ward, a case that has already received laboratory confirmation.

Klekovski specified that the necessary analyses are underway and that on-site epidemiological investigations have begun without delay for each of the reported cases.

Based on discussions with the Commission for Infectious Diseases, which is convening on this matter, the minister emphasized that some of the cases are not linked to travel to Greece. “In addition to those connected to the Greek state, we also have patients who have not left the country at all, and their location is in the Skopje Valley region,” he stated.

The minister noted that standard protocols have been implemented, including disinfection of a 200-meter perimeter around the affected individuals’ residences. This intervention was carried out by the Center for Public Health in Skopje, underscoring that this operation is their responsibility and not that of local authorities.

He further added that, based on recommendations and the geographic distribution of cases, the possibility of additional ground spraying will be considered. The Institute of Public Health and the Commission for Infectious Diseases are mapping the distribution of cases in order to take further preventive measures. According to him, the only patient still awaiting an epidemiological survey is the one from Veles, to clarify the origin of his infection.

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Sasho Klekovski, Minister of Health, announced that several imported infections have been recorded in Macedonia this year, including four cases of malaria, three of dengue virus, one of Zika virus, and eight of West Nile fever.

Addressing citizens who plan to travel to high-risk destinations, the minister emphasized the importance of strict implementation of protective measures.

According to the data, after a two-year period without any reported cases, malaria reappeared with four infected individuals. All infections are directly linked to stays on the African continent and in the Indian Ocean region, specifically in the Maldives and Zanzibar.

Likewise, both the three dengue cases and the single Zika case are the result of travel to the Maldives.

Minister Klekovski drew attention to the severe nature of these diseases, explaining that dengue is a hemorrhagic fever, the Zika virus poses a particular risk to pregnant women, while malaria in its severe forms can be fatal.

He urged all those traveling to Africa and the Indian Ocean area, with particular emphasis on the Maldives and Zanzibar, to obtain advance information and follow World Health Organization guidelines on immunization and preventive medication. These services are provided at the Public Health Center in Skopje and other relevant health institutions.

Regarding West Nile fever, the minister reported eight cases. One of the infections was identified as linked to a trip to Greece, while the others are suspected to have been transmitted within the country’s territory. Most of the patients belong to the 60 to 70 age group.

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The by-laws enabling the implementation of the Law on organ donation have been made public for public consultation on the official website of the Ministry of Health and are expected to receive the green light at one of the upcoming executive meetings.

After this law comes into force on October 1, citizens will have the right to give their consent for organ donation directly to their family doctor.

This announcement was made during a panel discussion on organ donation, organized today in Veles, where the necessity of raising public awareness about the transplant process and the importance of increasing donors to save lives was emphasized.

Prof. Dr. Biljana Kuzmanovska, the national transplant coordinator, emphasized that at this moment there are 29 patients in the country waiting for a new heart, 12 for a liver, 160 for a kidney, and about 20 others awaiting cornea transplantation. She added that waiting lists are dynamic and that so far this year, cornea transplant interventions have already been performed on 16 patients.

Meanwhile, Dr. Lilija Çolakova Dervishova, the president of the Association of Private Doctors of Macedonia, stressed that the decision to register as a donor will be formalized with the family doctor, as he or she represents the closest healthcare figure for citizens.

She underlined that the act of organ donation represents a concrete opportunity to save many lives, especially for young patients who are on the waiting list and are currently keeping themselves alive thanks to hemodialysis or mechanical devices assisting heart function.

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Health Minister Sasho Klekovski met today with representatives of family doctors and with the Directorate for Electronic Health “My Appointment”, to discuss improving the speed and efficiency of providing specialist check-ups through this system.

At the meeting, which was also attended by representatives from the Association of General Medicine Doctors and the Association of Private Doctors of the Republic of North Macedonia, specific tools for searching for desired appointments were also discussed, the Ministry of Health informed.

The parties agreed that the Ministry and the Directorate for Electronic Health will continue cooperation with family doctors, health institutions, and software companies, to build the most effective appointment system possible.

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The Ministry of Health is continuously implementing measures to support and encourage medical staff, while simultaneously aiming to strengthen the state health system.

Through a communication on the social platform Facebook, it is announced that this year as well, the administrative act has been signed to ensure the continuation of the monthly additional compensation of 150 euros for professionals who contribute exclusively in state health institutions.

This policy orientation aims to strengthen the public health structure, valuing the dedication and exclusive commitment of doctors in the public sector.

The announcement expresses gratitude to these professionals and wishes them all the best in their mission.

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Health Minister Sasho Klekovski announced today that the overall situation in Gostivar regarding cases with gastrointestinal problems is showing stagnation and currently no new patients requiring hospital treatment are being registered. He assured that the full water analysis data will be made public and warned that there must be no slackening in adhering to protective measures, as relaxation usually occurs precisely when the main danger has passed. According to him, now that the incubation period has passed and it is known which viral and bacterial agents are circulating, it remains essential for the population to maintain self-discipline.

The minister appealed to the residents of Gostivar not to lower their vigilance until the completion of interventions in the water supply network. He explained that since Monday, tests show four clean points and five contaminated ones, so preventive measures must continue even though numbers are steadily declining.

Regarding the causes of the infections, Klekovski informed that astroviruses and the shigella bacterium are most frequently identified, but the results are not uniform across all samples, making it impossible to draw a single generalizing conclusion.

Clarifying his call to follow official communication channels, the minister emphasized that it was not aimed at any specific individual and he did not mention concrete names. He explained that he is guided by the recommendations of the Commission for Infectious Diseases, which includes epidemiologists, infectologists, representatives from the Institute of Public Health, regional public health centers, the Food and Veterinary Agency, and other institutions. According to him, mixing messages about the measures to be implemented does no good at these moments, explaining that this remark concerns patient behavior and not any stance towards critics of the authorities. He also recalled that water quality control is the competence of the Food and Veterinary Agency, not the Ministry of Health.

Klekovski stated that yesterday all the analyses carried out by the Public Health Center in Tetovo, namely the regional unit in Gostivar, were requested and have already been made available. These data are being processed and a detailed comparison is expected to be conducted between the sampling locations and the laboratory results obtained.

In the submitted reports, he added, there are also negative findings, however it must be seen exactly which points they correspond to, as sampling was done in many positions, from the water catchment basin to the end points at consumers.

In response to journalists’ interest, the minister acknowledged that under these conditions he cannot give a definitive answer as to when the residents of Gostivar will first have technical water and then drinking water, as this area remains under the administration of another responsible body.

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