Skopje, 15 January 2024 (MIA) — Minister of Health Fatmir Mexhiti and University Institute of Radiology director Gordana Antuleska Belcheska at a press conference Monday urged patients not to abuse their MRI appointments.

In response to a reporter's question as to why patients were complaining about long wait times for appointments for imaging and diagnosing medical images, Antuleska Belcheska said considering their capacities, radiologists were doing their best.

She said the institute had three Magnetic Resonance Imaging scanners, which were "very interesting and in high demand, even abused as a method."

"I think this is the main problem," Antuleska Belcheska said. "We need to do a proper triage of patients, which means to decide who is an urgent MRI patient and give them priority."

"That's why I urge my colleagues to properly triage patients and give preference to those who really need MRI scans. If they did, we would be far more efficient," she said, answering reporters' questions at an event promoting new University Institute of Radiology equipment.

Minister Mexhiti agreed there were problems regarding appointments for imaging. He said he had heard of a patient coming in with a five-month headache and telling staff whether they should perform an MRI or not.

"Together with radiology directors, we will tighten the criteria," Mexhiti said. "We are working in this direction as in all other directions."

"I again urge citizens not to tell doctors [what to do]. They, too, should sympathize with us and realize that the doctors decide who needs this and who doesn't," he added.

Mexhiti also said in European countries, as well, patients had to spend months waiting for an appointment. And if it was an emergency, he said, doctors and specialists were the ones making the decision.

The health minister also said the University Institute of Radiology would be renovated, which would contribute to improving the situation of patients waiting for appointments. mr/