Skopje, 15 April 2024 (MIA) – Over 400 resident doctors are taking part in a general strike on Monday, not performing their duties at the Skopje clinics and other hospitals and outpatient clinics across the country.

Resident doctors are demanding increase in the monthly allowance of Mden 26,000 to the level of an average wage of a doctor in a public health institution, as well as regulation of employment status and health insurance coverage for all resident doctors.

They said they will end the strike only if they receive a written guarantee that their demands will be met. 

“Unfortunately, we decided to take this step because the Ministry of Health is not interested in resolving our problems,” said Hristina Ilioska Cheshlaroska, resident doctor in internal medicine. 

She noted that following the protest held in March, resident doctors had a meeting with the Health Minister, during which they had received a promise that their demands will be included on a government session’s agenda, but they have no response for the time being.

According to Ilioska Cheshlaroska, a representative from the Ministry of Health has contacted resident doctors to tell them that a meeting is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Monday at the Government. 

“Five of our representatives will be at the meeting, but we have no information on who else will attend and whether our demands will be accepted. The strike continues until we receive a written official guarantee that the demands will be met,” Ilioska Cheshlaroska pointed out.  

Tamara Pejoska, resident doctor in plastic and reconstructive surgery, said they were fully committed to their work, but put in a disappointingly degrading situation.

Protesters also pointed to discrimination in exercising maternity rights and maternity leave, as allowances were scrapped during that period. All these people, the resident doctors said, want to stay in the country, work and take care of patients. 

Photo and video: MIA