Minister Filipche denies he’s evading responsibility after Tetovo hospital fire
Skopje, 17 September 2021 (MIA) – I’m not evading responsibility and I’m not running away from questions. I’ve been always available to answer questions, but the healthcare system is complex and it has to be managed, Health Minister Venko Filipche said Friday.
Speaking to reporters at the complex of clinics in Skopje, when asked in relation to the deadly fire that broke out in the Tetovo modular hospital earlier this month, Filipche said the building was put into service after the authorities had confirmed that installations, electricity and the sewage system had been properly functioning and the staff had been implementing instructions.
Modular hospitals, he said, as a concept has been used across the world. “It has enabled all COVID patients to be hospitalized. Still a growing number of patients are treated in these constructions,” the Minister added, noting the countries wouldn’t have managed to handle the crisis without modular hospitals.
“We opened 700 hospital beds in less than two months. The alternative to that would have been the Italian scenario, meaning no hospital beds for people to be treated and saved. In pandemic, modular hospitals is the solution,” Minister Filipche stressed.