One hundred twenty-five HIV positive persons were registered in Macedonia, 50 percent of them were registered in the last six years. The worrying fact is that the country has seen continuous growth in the spread of HIV.
Unofficially, last year for the treatment of 25 HIV positive people were donated 30,000 euros from the Global Fund, said Elizabeta Boskovska of the citizens association "Hera" at today's press conference, which was prepared for the government and signed by 12 citizens' associations.
The aim of the statement which listed future actions and recommendations was made for the government to intensifying its fight against HIV and bring about universal access, care and treatment for HIV infected patients
"The Macedonian government and all relevant factors should work hard to increase public awareness of human rights associated with HIV," said Boskovska.
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Macedonia turns to universal health insurance
Thousands of Macedonian citizens, who previously had access only to emergency health care and certain hospital services, are now eligible to receive free primary care through the government. Coverage now extends to vulnerable segments of the population, such as the homeless, the elderly and the unemployed.
The change stems from an amendment to the Law on Public Health that went into effect last month. The new law targets these "marginalised groups", Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said.
Minister of Health Bujar Osmani affirmed that, with these reforms, the government for the first time has satisfied a main principle of the Macedonian Constitution: coverage and protection of the health of all citizens.
The government will underwrite the newly eligible patients' coverage, enabling them to receive health care services on the same footing as those who are employed and pay for health insurance.
Universal health insurance covers unlimited visits to a personal primary care physician, preventive care and examinations and treatment abroad. Patients with specific contagious diseases will also be able to receive treatment under the plan, unless they have other insurance. They still have to pay for any medications.
Deputy Health Minister Vladimir Popovski explained that the new law harmonises even the terminology with that of the EU member states. Macedonia's federal Department for Public Health will now be called the Institute for Public Health and its regional offices centres of public health.
According to initial financial projections, this new health care system will cost more than 5m euros to implement.
While society generally welcomed the expansion of medical care, some doctors criticised the impending burden on the federal budget. Funds, they say, should also go to many dilapidated hospitals that lack adequate medical supplies or equipment.
According to Dr Gjorge Jovanov, "With the funds that the government is now providing, many of the patients who were not able to receive health care will have coverage, which is a very good thing. On the other hand, part of this money can be used to improve conditions for patients who already have insurance."
The change stems from an amendment to the Law on Public Health that went into effect last month. The new law targets these "marginalised groups", Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski said.
Minister of Health Bujar Osmani affirmed that, with these reforms, the government for the first time has satisfied a main principle of the Macedonian Constitution: coverage and protection of the health of all citizens.
The government will underwrite the newly eligible patients' coverage, enabling them to receive health care services on the same footing as those who are employed and pay for health insurance.
Universal health insurance covers unlimited visits to a personal primary care physician, preventive care and examinations and treatment abroad. Patients with specific contagious diseases will also be able to receive treatment under the plan, unless they have other insurance. They still have to pay for any medications.
Deputy Health Minister Vladimir Popovski explained that the new law harmonises even the terminology with that of the EU member states. Macedonia's federal Department for Public Health will now be called the Institute for Public Health and its regional offices centres of public health.
According to initial financial projections, this new health care system will cost more than 5m euros to implement.
While society generally welcomed the expansion of medical care, some doctors criticised the impending burden on the federal budget. Funds, they say, should also go to many dilapidated hospitals that lack adequate medical supplies or equipment.
According to Dr Gjorge Jovanov, "With the funds that the government is now providing, many of the patients who were not able to receive health care will have coverage, which is a very good thing. On the other hand, part of this money can be used to improve conditions for patients who already have insurance."
Friday, May 01, 2009
No swine flu case detected in Macedonia
Macedonian health authorities dispersed fears for presence of the new - swine flu - in the country, after the results of the tests carried out on a patient that was preventively held in a hospital, turned negative Makfax informs.
Daniela Aleksoska, a spokesperson of the Health Ministry, told Makfax that the patient was released for a home treatment after he was tested negative on the A type influenza.
Previously, the Macedonian health authorities said that an individual who arrived in Macedonia from Italy via Bulgaria, was preventively held at the Skopje Infective Clinic, after showing flu symptoms.
Daniela Aleksoska, a spokesperson of the Health Ministry, told Makfax that the patient was released for a home treatment after he was tested negative on the A type influenza.
Previously, the Macedonian health authorities said that an individual who arrived in Macedonia from Italy via Bulgaria, was preventively held at the Skopje Infective Clinic, after showing flu symptoms.
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
New 162 mumps cases registered in a day
New 162 mumps cases have been registered yesterday, including 34 in Radovis, 29 in Prilep, 238 in Stip, 16 in Skopje, 14 in Tetovo , 9 in Kavadarci and 9 in Bitola.
The total number of registered cases with Monday inclusive climbed to 1.787, the State Healthcare Protection Agency announced today.
Majority of mumps patients are from Skopje - 381, followed by Kavadarci and Prilep.
A nation-wide action of extraordinary mumps vaccination has begun today
The total number of registered cases with Monday inclusive climbed to 1.787, the State Healthcare Protection Agency announced today.
Majority of mumps patients are from Skopje - 381, followed by Kavadarci and Prilep.
A nation-wide action of extraordinary mumps vaccination has begun today
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Macedonia bans import of British meat
Macedonian Veterinary Administration banned imports of animals and animal products from Great Britain because of incidence of mouth and foot disease in this country.
In accordance to EU recommendations, the Veterinary Administration banned also imports of poultry from the countries where bird flu was registered.
The Administration urged the veterinary stations to pay special attention for timely uncovering of eventual cases of foot and mouth disease.
In accordance to EU recommendations, the Veterinary Administration banned also imports of poultry from the countries where bird flu was registered.
The Administration urged the veterinary stations to pay special attention for timely uncovering of eventual cases of foot and mouth disease.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Munchmellow cookies meet food safety standards
Chocolate cookies Munchmellow Classic that have been imported in Macedonia are safe and they conform to food safety and good quality standards, Ministry of Health said of Friday.
Laboratory testing of samples of Munchmellow Classic cookies, produced by Serbian Jaffa Crvenka, that are being sold throughout the country, showed no presence of salmonella bacteria.
The tests were conducted at the National Health Care Institute in Skopje as well as in health-care institutes in Bitola, Strumica and Stip. All samples of the four imported shipments of Munchmellow Classic tested negative of salmonella, the ministry said.
Croatian retail chains decided to withdraw Jaffa's Munchmellow cookies from the shelves, under suspected presence of salmonella. The official analysis, however, showed that the cookies are safe.
Laboratory testing of samples of Munchmellow Classic cookies, produced by Serbian Jaffa Crvenka, that are being sold throughout the country, showed no presence of salmonella bacteria.
The tests were conducted at the National Health Care Institute in Skopje as well as in health-care institutes in Bitola, Strumica and Stip. All samples of the four imported shipments of Munchmellow Classic tested negative of salmonella, the ministry said.
Croatian retail chains decided to withdraw Jaffa's Munchmellow cookies from the shelves, under suspected presence of salmonella. The official analysis, however, showed that the cookies are safe.
Colgate toothpaste sold in Macedonia safe for use
Colgate toothpastes are safe for use as the quality analyses showed their composition is compliant with the prescribed regulation, the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate announced today.
Inspectors took 22 random samples of the toothpaste of this brand from the Skopje-based vendors to carry out biochemical and microbiological analysis, which proved it safe for use.
Inspectors took 22 random samples of the toothpaste of this brand from the Skopje-based vendors to carry out biochemical and microbiological analysis, which proved it safe for use.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
WHO welcomes health sector reform in Macedonia
World Health Organization (WHO) welcomed the health sector reform in Macedonia and called for strengthening of healthcare system and disaster management capacity.
The visiting Regional Director of the WHO European Office, Dr. Marc Danzon, met today with the Macedonian Health Minister Imer Selmani.
"This morning I had an excellent discussion with the minister and experts. I am confident that health reform is moving in the right direction," Danzon said.
Dr. Danzon called for additional stimulation of medical staff to ensure that the reform be fully implemented. He mentioned the capitation system in this context.
He also mentioned the equality of patients, i.e. the solidarity with patients not covered by health insurance.
"This problem exists in other countries, but there are extra efforts to help these patients," Danzon said.
Minister Selmani stressed that Macedonia's health system pledges solidarity despite the high number on non-insured citizens, ranging 200.000.
'This year only, 2 million euros have been set apart for patients not covered by health insurance," Selmani said, adding that the citizens may receive medical treatment if one member of the family pays health insurance.
Among the problems and part of government's policy, Danzon mentioned the non-revision of the positive drugs list.
Selmani stressed that he supports the revision of positive drugs list, but made it clear that "the state should provide what it can pay".
They both mentioned the incidence of counterfeit medicines and illicit sell of cancer-treating medicaments.
"This is a problem present in many countries across the world and the WHO urges the countries to inform the patients about this phenomenon in order to prevent it," Danzon said.
The visiting Regional Director of the WHO European Office, Dr. Marc Danzon, met today with the Macedonian Health Minister Imer Selmani.
"This morning I had an excellent discussion with the minister and experts. I am confident that health reform is moving in the right direction," Danzon said.
Dr. Danzon called for additional stimulation of medical staff to ensure that the reform be fully implemented. He mentioned the capitation system in this context.
He also mentioned the equality of patients, i.e. the solidarity with patients not covered by health insurance.
"This problem exists in other countries, but there are extra efforts to help these patients," Danzon said.
Minister Selmani stressed that Macedonia's health system pledges solidarity despite the high number on non-insured citizens, ranging 200.000.
'This year only, 2 million euros have been set apart for patients not covered by health insurance," Selmani said, adding that the citizens may receive medical treatment if one member of the family pays health insurance.
Among the problems and part of government's policy, Danzon mentioned the non-revision of the positive drugs list.
Selmani stressed that he supports the revision of positive drugs list, but made it clear that "the state should provide what it can pay".
They both mentioned the incidence of counterfeit medicines and illicit sell of cancer-treating medicaments.
"This is a problem present in many countries across the world and the WHO urges the countries to inform the patients about this phenomenon in order to prevent it," Danzon said.
Sunday, January 28, 2007
SCC management disassociates from SB's statement
The management of the Skopje Clinic Center (SCC) has disassociated itself from the statement released Tuesday by the Steering Board (SB) of the Center containing protest against Health Ministry's intention to divide up the biggest healthcare facility.
Clinic Center's SB voiced strong protest yesterday over the plan for transformation of the Center, which was presented last week, when a Division Balance Commission, chaired by the Director of Cardiology Clinic, Sahko Kedev, was formed.
"The statement released by the Steering Board expresses their view only. Nonetheless, we are convinced that a transformation of the Clinic Center is necessary. We won't allow under any circumstances for the health and lives of the patients to be put at risk", said the Director of the Clinic Center, Borche Georgievski, responding at SB's accusations that such a decision "might result in loss of human lives".
He added that "a Commission comprised of experts is scrutinizing the modalities for achieving thorough decentralization and autonomy by establishing a functional link between the Clinics and the Faculty of Medicine".
Georgievski unveiled plans for introduction of supplementary private practice of the doctors employed at the Clinic Center. Pursuant to the amendments to the Law on Healthcare Protection, the decision will take effect as of 1 February.
Starting from the next month, all doctors with seven-year working experience will be allowed to engage in eight hours of private practice on a weekly basis. Patients that will opt for using their services will make payments to doctors' individual accounts.
"The Clinic Center will by no means meddle in the funds generated by the supplementary practice, provided that no materials or machines belonging to the Center are used", Georgievski said.
Clinic Center's SB voiced strong protest yesterday over the plan for transformation of the Center, which was presented last week, when a Division Balance Commission, chaired by the Director of Cardiology Clinic, Sahko Kedev, was formed.
"The statement released by the Steering Board expresses their view only. Nonetheless, we are convinced that a transformation of the Clinic Center is necessary. We won't allow under any circumstances for the health and lives of the patients to be put at risk", said the Director of the Clinic Center, Borche Georgievski, responding at SB's accusations that such a decision "might result in loss of human lives".
He added that "a Commission comprised of experts is scrutinizing the modalities for achieving thorough decentralization and autonomy by establishing a functional link between the Clinics and the Faculty of Medicine".
Georgievski unveiled plans for introduction of supplementary private practice of the doctors employed at the Clinic Center. Pursuant to the amendments to the Law on Healthcare Protection, the decision will take effect as of 1 February.
Starting from the next month, all doctors with seven-year working experience will be allowed to engage in eight hours of private practice on a weekly basis. Patients that will opt for using their services will make payments to doctors' individual accounts.
"The Clinic Center will by no means meddle in the funds generated by the supplementary practice, provided that no materials or machines belonging to the Center are used", Georgievski said.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
No flu epidemic in Macedonia
As many as 8.631 cases of flu infection have been reported since the beginning of the year, the State Healthcare Protection Office (RZZ) announced.
A mild increase of 139 new cases have been registered over the last 15 days, while the rate of the affected at age 19 and younger is decreasing.
Kumanovo is worst-affected region with 1.341 influenza patients, while Kocani has the highest rate of infections - 154 out of 10.000 citizens.
A mild increase of 139 new cases have been registered over the last 15 days, while the rate of the affected at age 19 and younger is decreasing.
Kumanovo is worst-affected region with 1.341 influenza patients, while Kocani has the highest rate of infections - 154 out of 10.000 citizens.
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