Skopje, 21 July 2023 (MIA) - A protest will be held in the evening, although I am very satisfied with today's meeting with the Minister of Health, Fatmir Mexhiti. However, I expect to receive everything promised at the meeting in writing and signed by the Minister, president of the Union of Associations of persons with diabetes of the Republic of North Macedonia, Dimche Velev, told MIA.

"The Secretary of the Union and I are satisfied with what we heard today at the meeting with the Minister, but it is important that everything that was promised is sent to us via email, in writing and signed by the Minister and then we will all be satisfied," Velev said.

He confirmed that people with diabetes will protest in front of the Ministry of Health Friday evening, but he did not rule out the possibility that "the protest could turn into a celebration."

He noted that if everything said at the meeting is realized, then their basic demands will be fulfilled.

"We told the Minister that we came for talks so that the pharmacies are full and stocked for every patient who comes to get what they need. That's what our protest is about, not about anything else. Our protest is not with political demands, it is not with empty phrases, but it is real life, for the health of the citizens," Velev added. 

At Friday's meeting, which was also attended by the expert services of the Ministry, competent persons on the issue, including the president of the Diabetes Commission, Irfan Ahmeti, Health Minister Mexhiti stressed that the Ministry has complete understanding of the situation in which people with diabetes find themselves in the country and is committed to overcoming the current challenges.

Mexhiti signed on Friday a decision to select the most favorable bidder for the purchase of sensors for continuous glucose monitoring for all children with diabetes, pregnant women and blind people, who will receive such sensors for the first time, the Health Ministry said in a press release.

The Minister also announced that the analysis for finding a model to avoid the current issues is nearing its end.

"The Ministry of Health asked the patients for understanding for this situation, promising that it would be overcome in a short time, and Minister Mexhiti pointed out that having taken the office, he will make every effort to ensure that such halts in procurement never happen again," reads the press release. 

Photo: MIA