Skopje, 16 February 2025 (MIA) – We inherited a devastated health system and it’s impossible to transform the Macedonian healthcare into a Norwegian or Swedish healthcare with a magic wand in almost eight months, Health Minister Arben Taravari says in Radio Free Europe’s weekly interview.

We, he adds, have been doing everything according to our capacities to improve things, including the signing of a collective agreement with medical professionals.

“Doctors’ salaries were raised by 5 percent last year, in November, and once again in March, also by 5 percent. Salaries of nurses raised by 17 percent,” Taravari said. 

On hospitals employing 600 private resident doctors, the Minister says hospitals may soon start to issue employment calls with 300 private resident doctors expected to be hired by the end of March and another 300 by the end of December. 

Also, Minister Taravari says he expects September 8 General Hospital to become a regional hospital. The hospitals in Tetovo, Shtop and Bitola will also become regional hospitals, he adds.

MIA file photo