Skopje, 29 July 2024 (MIA) – There has been some information that a small concentration of formaldehyde has been found in the operating rooms in the Skopje Clinical Complex, however, I still haven’t received an official report, Health Minister Arben Taravari said Monday.

He reiterated that that the procedure for the procurement of a new compressor unit and a new installation is under way. “I hope we will solve this problem really soon,” Taravari told reporters. 

When asked how the citizens can have confidence when it isn’t being shared with the public that formaldehyde has been found and that July 1 air quality measurement in operating rooms shows that it doesn’t correspond with the European standards, Taravari repeated that an official report is yet to be sent to the Health Ministry. 

“We are transparent and whatever we will receive, it will be shared with the public and the media,” the Minister stressed. 

More than half of the operating rooms in the clinical complex are now operational, according to him. 

The operating rooms at the Skopje Clinical Complex were closed after an unpleasant odour was detected. Since then, a tender was issued to procure a new compressor station, but it failed after no bids were sent.  

MIA file photo