Skopje, 16 July 2024 (MIA) — The commissioning and procurement procedure for a new system of medical grade air compressors for the Clinical Center's surgery clinics' operating rooms has been canceled because not a single tender bid had been submitted.

According to the Public Health Care Institution for the needs of the University Clinics, Institute and Urgent Center Skopje, the tender call was issued to address the problem with the compressors supplying air to some operating rooms of the Clinical Center in Skopje.

In May, reports of unpleasant odors spreading from some operating rooms led to surgical patients being transferred to September 8 General City Hospital and St. Naum of Ohrid University Clinic of Surgical Diseases.

The deadline for submitting tenders for new compressors to supply clean air was July 15. The estimated value of the procedure was Mden 18,644,068 excluding VAT. The tender documentation mandated a site inspection by candidate companies.

Three economic operators, including a German company, were given a tour of the operational rooms. "For reasons unknown to us, we did not recieve a single offer," the procurers said.

The procedure has been cancelled and further directions have been requested from the Government and the Ministry of Health.

Minister of Health Arben Taravari on July 1 commented on the air compressor problem as well as many operational rooms being in poor state of repair, promising to try to find a way to renovate some of them. mr/