Skopje, 20 February 2023 (MIA) - IT experts are finalizing processes and functionalities at the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) and the payment of sick leaves, maternity leaves and other refunds has begun, the HIF said on Monday.

It added that almost all modules are operational after the hacker attack that prevented the institution's services over the past week.

"Clients are expected to receive the funds at their accounts tomorrow or on Wednesday," says HIF.

Meanwhile, Deputy PM for good governance policies Slavica Grkovska said citizens have the right to be informed about developments, since "data and information belong to the people not institutions".

Grkovska said she would ask the HIF director Magdalena Filipovska Grashkoska to come out and answer the questions over the hacker attack.

"Any institution under a hybrid attack and cyber threat is obligated to come out in public and inform citizens on the current status and what is being undertaken by the institution to protect and restore data and information that have been compromised," she said.

The Deputy PM noted that allocating budget funds for cyber protection is not luxury but investment.

"It is unfortunate that institutions are becoming aware of the need for such investment, not luxury, amid a hybrid warfare," said Grkovska.