Skopje, 16 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Health Arben Taravari said Sunday that people injured in the Kochani nightclub fire have been admitted in state hospitals and at the Clinical Center in Skopje, and all have received medical assistance. He added that for now, state hospitals have the capacity to admit all those injured, and assistance has also been offered by neighboring countries.

"Currently, 118 people are being treated in hospitals across the country – in Kochani, in Shtip, and in the hospitals here [in Skopje]. We are now heading to the clinical surgery hospital surgery and to the intensive care clinic to assess the situation. A few patients are being treated at the plastic surgery pediatric clinic. We will provide all details. The most important thing is that there is no patient who has not been triaged or admitted in hospitals across the country. All our capacities are in use, and we hope to do our best to save as many lives as possible of the children affected by this tragedy," said Taravari. 

Taravari did not specify the number of injured individuals hospitalized in Skopje’s clinics, noting furtehr details will be provided after visiting the Emergency Center.

Asked whether the Clinical Center and surgical clinics have sufficient capacity to treat the most severely injured patients requiring intensive care, given that renovation of the intensive care clinic had been announced, he said renovation has been postponed.

He added that, for the time being, communication is ongoing with state hospitals, as there is no immediate need for additional assistance. However, neighbouring countries have offered to help.

"Bulgaria's Minister of Health of Bulgaria said they are ready to assist with anything needed. If necessary, they are here to help us," said Taravari, adding that for now, state hospitals are well-organized and there is no need for foreign assistance.

He said he will head to Shtip and Kochani after the visit to the Emergency Center.

Photo: MIA archive