Skopje, 5 February 2024 (MIA) - Employees at the Health Insurance Fund have commenced a strike on Monday, resulting in the suspension of most operations across all subsidiaries. Only essential services will be maintained, as previously announced.

“The revolt among the employees is huge. Even those in other unions are joining the strike. Our only request is to preserve the salaries we received in December. We are not asking for anything more; we simply want our salaries to remain at the December level. The strike will continue, even at the expense of not getting paid, as is the case now. At present, the employees at the Health Insurance Fund are without salaries,” Trade Union of Administration, Judiciary and Citizens' Associations leader Trpe Deanoski said.

“As they reached a conclusion with the recommendation to the management board to reduce salaries, they have now reached a new conclusion with the recommendation to maintain the same point value, that is, Mden 77.16, until the end of this year. We initiated a proposal signed by all directors of subsidiaries, ensuring that all work tasks will be carried out, funds will remain in the payroll fund, and citizens can rest assured that there will be medicines and medical devices for everyone, as it is now,” Deanoski said.

He also noted that the Health Insurance Fund is an institution with the largest budget in the country, and, as he pointed out, it always has financial resources.

"There will be funds to keep these salaries for the employees, as we agreed with the management of the Health Insurance Fund," explained Deanoski, emphasizing that if salaries are reduced, "it can only be worse."

Health Insurance Fund Union president Branko Adzhigogov stated that there have been no reported incidents or problems so far.

“Citizens are aware of the situation we are facing,” he noted.

"We have received support from all healthcare unions. Only necessary tasks will be carried out, such as registering a minor as a member in insurance, regulating insurance for hospitalized individuals, and providing emergency treatment abroad. I want to stress that the medical commissions responsible for extending sick leaves will continue to function without interruption. Our intention is not to push for legal action against those who are ill," Adzigogov said.

Adzigogov urged citizens not to go through the trouble of coming in for requests regarding rehabilitation, compensation for orthopedic aids, maternity benefits, sick leave claims, and requests for insurance abroad, specifically for bilingual forms.

He also stated that payments are not being processed for those with contracts with the Health Insurance Fund, which includes both public and a significant portion of private healthcare. Employment contracts in public health, transfers of contracts to public health, and cases requiring transformation of employment relationships by decision have all been halted.

“The services offered by the electronic Health Insurance Fund, linked to "My Appointment," continue to operate. Prescriptions can be issued, referrals can be obtained, and health services from our contracted entities are being received without any disruptions,” Adzigogov said.

"In public health, it is currently a period of calculations, including the budget and capitations. At the moment, nothing is in progress," replied Adzigogov when questioned about the salaries for public health employees.

The Independent Union of Employees in University Clinics, Centers, Clinical Hospitals, and other public health institutions in the country provides complete support for the strike of employees in the Health Insurance Fund, which began today, stated the president of this union, Predrag Serafimovski, this afternoon.

Photo: MIA archive