Skopje, 24 February 2025 (MIA) - The Government on Monday officially announced the launch of reconstruction works at the '8 September' hospital in Skopje and at St. Paul the Apostle Airport in Ohrid. According to Monday's press conference, a total of EUR 14.7 million will be invested for the two facilities. The reconstruction of the hospital is to be completed by October 2025, and of the Ohrid Airport by March 2026.

The Government noted that of the planned funds, EUR 12 million are intended for the reconstruction of the '8 September' hospital and EUR 2.7 million for St. Paul the Apostle Airport.

According to Minister of Transport Aleksandar Nikoloski, the reconstruction of the airport will provide much better, modern conditions and increase the number of passengers, while the reconstruction of the hospital, in addition to modernized working conditions, will also enable top quality health care for citizens.

"The reconstruction of the '8 September' hospital will include an operating block with an area of ​​2,000 square meters and seven surgical rooms, of which two for abdominal surgery, two for urological interventions, one room for ear, nose and throat surgeries, one for eye surgery and one for robotic surgery. All rooms will have the latest equipment, surgical tables and anaesthesia machines, medical computers, defibrillators and other inventory. The reconstruction also includes a biochemistry lab with fully automated equipment, a microbiological lab, as well as a pathology lab with the introduction of pharmacogenetic analysis in line with the latest world standards that enable targeted and personalized therapy for oncology patients. Intensive care will cover a fully equipped area of ​​500 square meters with central monitoring. The roof structure of the hospital, which was noted as one of the major problems, will also be replaced, an efficient heating and cooling system will be established, and elevators will also be reconstructed," Nikoloski pointed out. 

According to him, the Ohrid Airport will get a new administrative building of 250 square meters, and the remaining segments will also be renovated. The space of the current terminal building will also be adapted and equipped.

"The new office space will cover 120 square meters. There will be auxiliary rooms of 130 square meters, as well as a new security area of ​​40 square meters. A completely new traffic regime is also planned for the new car park," Nikoloski said, noting that this will be the first reconstruction of the airport terminal building since it was built.

Commenting on the reconstruction of the '8 September' hospital, Minister of Health Arben Taravari said this was another indicator of the Government's efforts to improve conditions in the health care sector.

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski noted in his brief address at the press conference that a government's care for its citizens is reflected in the capacities it builds and the resources it makes available.

"We would like to mark and announce the launch of the reconstruction works for these two vital facilities. Healthcare was one of the most neglected areas, where the continuous neglect of the previous government led to the collapse of the already dilapidated hospitals and facilities. Here I must praise a large part of the dedicated healthcare staff, who, even in such conditions, continued to work dedicatedly and give their utmost in substandard conditions. These are major investments in facilities that are of essential importance for our country. We continue to solve problems, create added value and fight for a better life for citizens," Mickoski said. 

Photo: MIA / Government of the Republic of North Macedonia

Video: Government of the Republic of North Macedonia