Skopje, 17 March 2025 (MIA) – Around 15 medical specialists from Belgrade and the Czech Republic have arrived in the country to aid in the treatment of those injured in the Kochani nightclub fire. According to the latest official data, 59 people lost their lives, and 155 were injured. Additional medical specialists from Israel are expected to arrive soon.

Health Minister Arben Taravari said Monday that the medical specialists will be assigned to clinics where their assistance is needed. He also noted that some patients were transported abroad not due to the lack of a burn centre but because of the large number of patients requiring treatment.

“Over 100 people have suffered burns that require treatment, and it is natural that we lack the capacity to properly treat all of them. Due to complications arising from burns, which in all cases are second- or third-degree, there is already a risk of infections. Our goal was to ensure they receive the best possible care while also preparing for any patients who may develop latent complications,” Taravari said.

Health Insurance Fund Director Sasho Klekovski commended the Macedonian healthcare system for its effective response to the situation. He noted that even if a burn center existed, it would not have been able to provide the necessary care, as patients with such extensive burns require highly specialized treatment.

"With all the criticism directed at the Macedonian healthcare system, it is important to note that over 140 injured individuals were admitted in a very short time yesterday. These are patients with second- and third-degree burns covering between 10 and 30 percent of their bodies. I want to stress that the first phase of patient care has been completed, and no one was left untreated. Even if a burn center existed, it would have had space for only four or five patients,” Klekovski said.

Photo: MIA archive