Skopje, 27 May 2023 (MIA) – The health of the citizens is the most important, Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski said during Saturday’s opening of the hybrid operating room at the State University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery.

Cardiac surgeons have started working in a hybrid operating room, which is the first such room in the country.

“Today, we are making a big successful step in following modern medical trends, which only speaks of our seriousness as a government, that our focus is on strengthening public health, investing in human resources, and modernizing hospitals,” PM Kovachevski said.

He said that the hybrid operating room allows for surgery with few complications, quick recovery, and short rehabilitation, thus enabling minimally-invasive surgery.

“The team of surgeons, doctors, the entire medical staff, here in this State University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, have made us proud and happy on many occasions with their professional expertise, dedication to work, patient protection, and care for them,” he added.

“As a Government, we have a responsibility to take care of patients and healthcare workers, and we will continue to do so. With all these efforts, from the renovation of clinics and hospitals throughout the country, from the purchase of modern equipment, renovation and complete reconstruction of operating rooms, according to world standards, reconstruction and equipping of entire hospital departments, we show our firm commitment to the development of the health system in North Macedonia,” Kovachevski said.

He noted that the friendly support is of great help in strengthening the capacities in public health institutions. PM Kovachevski thanked the Embassy of Japan and Ambassador Otsuka Kazuya, for the donation of a bronchoscope, a device that will be used in the Cardiac Surgery Clinic in the operating room and in intensive care.

Head of State University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, Prof. Dr. Sashko Jovev, said that they are honored to be the hosts at the opening of the first such operating room in the country and beyond, and the putting into use of the device for long-term extracorporeal heart and lung support.

“Our people are receiving new modalities for the treatment of the most difficult and common diseases. Clinical campus greater security. And the state, an ultra-modern clinic,” Jovev emphasized, referring to other programs that are working and thanking the expert team of the clinic, the World Bank and the Health Insurance Fund, the Minister of Health.

The Japanese Ambassador also expressed satisfaction with the opening of the first hybrid operating room in the country.

“I'm glad that the bronchoscope, a donation from the people of Japan, will be used here,” Otsuka Kazuya said, referring to the support they have continuously provided over the years.

Photo: MIA