People with diabetes threaten lawsuit over lack of medication, Health Ministry says efforts being taken to overcome issues
Skopje, 11 August 2023 (MIA) – The Ministry of Health said in a press release Friday that efforts are being taken to overcome the issues faced by people with diabetes. At the beginning of next week, said the press release, the associations of people with diabetes will be invited to a meeting.
“The Ministry of Health fully understands the associations of people with diabetes, with which it is in constant communication. We are absolutely on the same side, and we are taking the utmost efforts to correct the mistakes of the previous leadership of the Ministry, which was late with all the procedures and did not follow the recommendations of the Commission to begin procedures on time. Since the first day, Minister Fatmir Mexhiti has been in communication with the associations of patients, and has transparently stated the inherited issues and the reasons why the procurement are prolonged,” said the Ministry in the press release.
The patients with diabetes do not exclude the option of suing the Ministry of Health over the fact they’ve been left without medication for a longer period of time.
“First, we will submit requests to the Ministry of Health. All who have received a prescription for insulin, diabetic tape patches, glucometers, and anti-diabetic medication, will submit their requests to the Ministry through a lawyer. If the Ministry doesn’t respond positively, we will sue,” Dimche Velev, President of the Union of Associations of People with Diabetes, told TV Sitel.
The Ministry of Health urged restraint and understanding.
“Lawsuits are not the solution, and they are not necessary because the Ministry is a partner of the associations, but if they do decide to sue, then the lawsuits should be directed at the previous leadership which created the problems that the Ministry is trying to solve today. We once again urge restraint and understanding, because the Ministry is doing absolutely everything in its power, in line with the legal procedures and deadlines from which we simply cannot deviate,” said the Ministry of Health.
Photo: MIA Archive
