Skopje, 21 March 2025 (MIA) - There is no truth in information that families and patients need financial support for treatment. These expenses will be covered by the state, said Government Spokeswoman Marija Miteva on Friday.

"The Government is closely following social media and it must be said that compassion, empathy and the strong wish to help are understandable and justified, but such support is not needed at this time because we will do everything in our power to provide help when it comes to the healthcare that patients require," said Miteva.

She said the Government is covering the transport and accommodation of the patients' families abroad.

"The updated information is the following: 180 family members of the patients hospitalized abroad have been transported and accommodated. While in coordination with the Red Cross regarding the payment of the funds, each family will receive an initial amount of Mden 150,000 (EUR 2,500) for most urgent and daily expenses. This is not a one-off, teams from the Red Cross and the Government are in continued communication with the families and will act depending on individual needs," said Miteva.

She urged for solidarity without causing harm to the patients' families.

"This relates to the sharing of the family's personal data, which could be abused. That is why the Government used the Red Cross account, in order to avoid any speculation about the donated funds. Information that the funds are not sufficient and about problems related to transport and accommodation are not true," said Miteva.

MIA file photo