Skopje, 30 January 2024 (MIA) – The former director of the Oncology Clinic and two employees have been arrested Tuesday in relation to a scandal over alleged illicit sale of cytostatic drugs at the Clinic. The facility is operating regularly and all appointments and medications are proceeding without issues, the Clinic’s current director Violeta Klisarova and organizational director Halid Matoshi, told the media.

The directors said the authorities didn’t speak with them, only stating they had arrest warrants for certain individuals. Earlier on Tuesday, the Public Prosecutor’s Office told MIA that searches were being carried out by order of public prosecutor, adding that more details would be shared later in the day. However, some media outlets have already published the initials of the arrested, including the name of former director, Nino Vasev.

“Three people have been arrested here. The former director and two employees. The secretary didn’t show up to work today, perhaps she has been arrested as well, her phone is turned off,” Matoshi told the media.

Klisarova assured the public that the Oncology Clinic is operating regularly.

“All scheduled appointments, examinations, medication for patients, and the reception of new patients is proceeding regularly. All ambulances are operational. We are working at full capacity at the Clinic which is why I ask that we don’t create panic. None of the patients will be refused. Everyone will receive the planned medication,” said Klisarova.

The director added that all information linked with the investigation and this morning’s searches will be shared by the relevant authorities.

Searches were carried out at the Oncology Clinic and two private apartments at the beginning of September 2023, upon a court order following allegations published by the media.

At the time, the Health Ministry voiced its support to the action of the Prosecution and the police, while former Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski described the allegations as ‘hideous’, saying they should never happen and urged the public to avoid sensationalizing the case and attacking all doctors in the country. He said the Government would not intervene to protect anyone. On the other hand, the leader of the opposition, Hristijan Mickoski, said the Government doesn’t expect a resolution to the Oncology Clinic scandal.

Parliament established an inquiry committee over the scandal, which heard the testimonies of former Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski, former health ministers Venko Filipche, Bekim Sali and Nikola Todorov, current Health Minister Fatmir Mexhiti, former and current directors of the Health Insurance Fund, as well as other individuals and officials. The members of the committee had 30 days to question witnesses and an additional 30 days to review related documents. The case divided the Government and the opposition. Due to the disagreements, the MPs from the ruling majority and the opposition came out with different conclusions to the scandal.