Skopje, 14 May 2026 (MIA) — The foreign experts found evidence of unwarranted heart surgeries and questionable diagnostic reports in nine of the 13 cases they reviewed, Health Minister Azir Aliu said Thursday announcing the findings of the committee formed by the Ministry of Health to investigate patient complaints regarding unnecessary cardiovascular procedures performed at local hospitals.

The foreign expert committee was formed in February following concerns raised by heart surgeon Sashko Kedev. The review included both public and private clinics, involving patients aged 45 to 78.

The patients had been treated at the University Clinic of Cardiology, the University Clinic for Cardiac Surgery, the Shtip Clinical Hospital, September 8 General City Hospital, Shtip's Cardio Art Clinic, Zhan Mitrev Clinical Hospital and Acibadem Sistina Clinical Hospital.

The committee pointed to several "suspicious" findings, including discrepancies between actual angiographic data and written medical reports as well as inappropriate treatment.

According to the experts, patients underwent endovascular or surgical procedures that were not medically indicated. Also, they found that management of these cases was below professional standards, potentially harming patient outcomes.

"These findings are serious and must not be downplayed," Aliu said. 

He added that the committee's report, however, should not be used to stigmatize the hospitals or the entire medical profession. 

"Great many doctors in our country work professionally and honestly," he noted.

The foreign expert committee consisted of Ugolino Livi, a cardiac surgeon from Italy; Nikola Lakić, a cardiovascular surgeon from Slovenia; and Miha Čerček, an interventional cardiologist from Slovenia.

Their findings largely mirrored an earlier report by a committee of local experts that worked independently, the health minister said.

"Accountability, transparency and patient protection were the guiding principles of this entire process," Aliu said.

The findings will be submitted to the government, the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption. mr/