Skopje, 24 March 2023 (MIA) - The renovation of a part of the University Clinic for Gastroenterohepatology has been completed, to enable most affected patients from across the country to be treated at the Clinic in dignified conditions and receive modern medical services. 

Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski alongside U.S. Ambassador Angela Aggeler and Health Minister Fatmir Mexhiti visited the renovated part of the Clinic on Friday. He pointed out this was the first such renovation since 1950 after the Clinic was established. Funds in the amount of over USD 400,000 have been provided by the U.S. Government, i.e. the U.S. European Command through the U.S. Humanitarian Aid Program. 

"A total of about USD 14 million over the past 13 years is the support through the U.S. Humanitarian Aid Program in health, education and in crisis management. This confirms that the United States is our greatest friend from the first day of independence until today and in the future. The Republic of North Macedonia is on the right track, we have real and sincere friends from the international democratic world, and this is what it means to be a credible partner of the international community," Kovachevski said, thanking the United States for the huge support in all important processes of the country, as well as on a specific level, through projects of essential importance for the quality of life of the citizens. 

He stressed that healthcare is the Government's top priority, regarding which in 2022 a significant amount of funds has been set aside for equipping a large number of health facilities in the country with modern equipment, mammographs, tomographs and other devices for state-of-the-art diagnostics, as well as among other things, increased salaries of health workers, doctors, nurses. 

"We continue to promote healthcare. Our goal is a European quality of life for the citizens and with true friends such as the U.S. and the EU, the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia believes and I personally believe that there is no unattainable goal," said Kovacevski, thanking the rector of the University, the doctors and professors at the Clinic for their commitment and professional engagement. 

Health Minister Fatmir Mexhiti stressed commitment to improving the health system in the country by investing in the system, noting that investments are underway for the reconstruction of health projects, staffing and for improving the conditions for employees. The main priorities include salary increase and the regulation of the status of healthcare workers, with the aim of providing the citizens with the healthcare they deserve, restoring the patient's trust and making the system definitely work.

U.S. Ambassador to North Macedonia Aggeler pointed out that the USD 400,000 donation by the U.S. European Command is yet another example of the U.S. longstanding commitment to supporting North Macedonia in building trust and quality in its institutions. 

"In the past 10 years, through the U.S. European Command, we have provided over USD 13.5 million to improve the quality of life of the citizens of this country. Through projects like these, the United States and North Macedonia will continue to build healthier, stronger, and more prosperous countries together," said Ambassador Aggeler. 

Head of the Clinic, Kalina Grivcheva-Stardelova, expressed satisfaction with the renovation, noting it was the first thorough renovation after a period of over 60 years, and thus the patients and employees of the Clinic receive a modern space that fully meets the highest medical treatment standards.  

Фото: МИА/Влада