Skopje, 26 March 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski told a press conference on Wednesday that active work is underway on the repatriation process for Macedonian patients injured in the fire in Kochani who are receiving treatment abroad.

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, the Ministry of Health and the General Affairs Department are actively working on the implementation of the repatriation process for Macedonian patients who successfully complete hospital treatment abroad," said Mucunski, adding that the Health Ministry, as competent institution, has prepared a detailed medical protocol for the process to be implemented timely, safely and in the best interest of the patients and their families.

He pointed out that the protocol has been delivered through the country's diplomatic and consular offices to the healthcare institutions abroad where the patients receive medical care, noting that based on evaluations by the medical teams and official confirmation from the Ministry of Health, a procedure is organized covering every step of the return process, including recommendations for organizing an appropriate type of transport coordinated by the General Affairs Department. 

He noted that one patient who was treated in Belgrade, Serbia, returned to the country on Tuesday, adding that today one patient is expected to return from Greece and four patients are expected to return from Spain. Also, several other patients are expected to return from Belgium, Austria, Croatia and Serbia in the coming days.   

Mucunski said focus in the coming period will be on the safe return of patients, as well as successful completion of treatment for those who are still abroad.

In response to a reporter's question on whether costs of patients and the families of patients receiving treatment abroad are fully covered, given the fundraising campaigns on social networks, he said that patients and their families will not have any costs.

"The Government, through the General Affairs Department, will cover the travel costs of patients and their families, the accommodation costs for patients' families, and there is a modality for one mobile device, all costs that arise will be covered and all additional logistical costs that may arise are covered, including food provided within the hotels where they are accommodated," said Mucunski.

He added that full coordination is underway with the patients' families to ensure minor logistical matters.

"Part of the costs are covered through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, based on existing bilateral agreements or decisions made by the governments of the countries taking in these patients in terms of medical services. The families of those receiving treatment will not have any costs related to that process - both from a medical and logistical point of view. At the same time, I personally support every donation initiative from a humanitarian point of view, we need to think about it... The Government is to support every humanitarian process, but at the same time to inform the public that regarding medical and logistical costs, the state stands behind these patients and behind these families," Mucunski pointed out. 

Photo: Timcho Mucunski Facebook