The additional restrictive measures that will be imposed starting from April 6 to 20 are aimed at protecting people’s health and alleviate pressure on healthcare system, Health Minister Venko Filipche said Tuesday.
“Over the past period, there was a large increase in the numbers of hospitalised COVID-19 patients and we succeeded to maintain healthcare system and provide a hospital bed for each patient in the COVID-19 units,” Filipche said, adding that now we are in a period when healthcare system is under pressure.
“Given the experience from last year when during Easter and Ramadan holidays, epidemiological situation was seriously complicated, we believe that if it happens now with an already burdened healthcare system, then we will face a crisis situation that will be difficult to handle. Therefore, we are introducing additional restrictive measures in order to stop the third wave of the pandemic, which has been the worst so far. I urge the citizens to adhere to the measures. We must be aware that with our own behavior, responsibility, wearing face masks and keeping distance, we will contribute to stop the third wave of pandemic as soon as possible,” Filipche said.
He also said that the mass vaccination of frontline workers started on Monday in the Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena in Skopje.
“Close to 2,500 citizens were vaccinated yesterday and the inoculation of people above the age of 77 continues across the country. Family doctors will invite patients for vaccination according to national plan. Through the system of appointments and registration in institutions the number of citizens who will be vaccinated in the Boris Trajkovski Sports Arena will increase. We expect 7,000 people to be vaccinated per day. The first day of mass vaccination went well and I hope it will continue in the upcoming period,” Filipche said.
Filipche said that on Monday the number of hospital admissions in Skopje and across the country, were similar to the previous two days, much less than during the peak period on April 1.
“There are enough free hospital beds the Clinical Center and in Kozle rehabilitation centre, which is fully prepared to receive patients. Kumanovo, Bitola, Kichevo and Tetovo are currently the most critical cities in the country in terms of COVID-19 case incidence,” Filipche told reporters adding that the health authorities are in daily communication with the directors of the health institutions in those cities.
Filipche announced that this week he will talk with the representatives of the private hospitals about the prices for treatment which, according to the citizens, are very high.
According to Filipche, all patients who opt to get their treatment in private hospitals they make their own choice. All urgent cases, people with malignant diseases and those who need health care are treated in the public health institutions and clinics.
He said that they talked with the two private hospitals Remedika and Acibadem Sistina which agreed to provide specialist doctors who will work in public health institutions.
