Skopje, 7 February 2024 (MIA) – The Skopje Emergency Services received Wednesday seven ambulance vehicles as the latest of a series of donations from the EU aimed at helping the health care system to provide better services to citizens.

EU Ambassador David Geer at the handover ceremony said this was an example of EU's support that would affect the quality of life of many patients.

"Skopje is the largest city in the country yet has a deficit of vehicles. Today's donation can help address this shortage. EU is very active in supporting and improving healthcare services. We are already helping the country's transplant system and the implementation of its National Health Strategy. Later this year, we will help improve the country's cancer screening and prevention program, and natal care program," Geer said.

The EU Ambassador recalled that in 2021, the EU had provided medical imaging equipment, magnetic resonance and computer tomography systems, to eight hospitals across the country but was dismayed by the State Audit Office's report that the devices were used on only 2,800 patients.

"We hope to bring vital services to patients, and yet I was dismayed to read the latest report by the State Audit Office that the expansion of MRI systems and computer tomography has not resulted in increase in use," Geer said.

He pointed out that in EU the average service per device is between 4,000 and 9,000 users.

"I urge all concerned to make full use of the donated equipment, which is in the interest of patients," Geer said.

Skopje Health Center Director Viktor Isjanovski expressed his gratitude and pointed out that the seven vehicles would help over 700,000 citizens.

"Thank you for these seven vehicles. We will prove to Ambassador Geer and everyone in Skopje to what extent the vehicles will be used.

"The procedure for their registration has already begun and they will be put to use in the next couple of days," Isjanovski said. ssh/mr