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North Macedonia health reform and ethnic representation

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-07-31 11:58 UTC → 2026-08-25 13:53 UTC · added removed

North Macedonia health reform faces and ethnic dispute representation

In late May 2026 the Macedonian health ministry 2026, Health Minister Azir Aliu launched a €205 million hospital‑modernisation hospital modernisation programme targeting facilities in Štip, Kërčovë, and Tetovo, while also addressing debt at the Strumica hospital. Aliu promoted a digital‑health strategy, later secured National Digital Health Strategy 2026–2030, emphasizing telemedicine and digital care pathways. On 24 June, North Macedonia officially joined the EU’s €4.4 billion EU4Health funding programme, facilitating access to grants and raised expertise for digital health, oncology, and workforce strengthening. Despite these advancements, the public‑health budget by 26 %. After a contentious parliamentary session ministry faced challenges. Aliu noted that private specialists often skip mandatory public hospital shifts due to low, irregular state pay. Furthermore, critics argued that digital reforms had stalled, with many platforms remaining in July, planning stages. Political instability also emerged; Aliu warned against early elections, and the ministry experienced rapid turnover, with Aliu leaving office after approximately one year amid government reconstruction. Following Aliu, Sasho Klekovski assumed the health portfolio, announcing salary raises, e‑prescriptions and universal child‑health insurance. On 21 July Klekovski issued a decree creating portfolio. He announced a Professional Commission at the University Hematology Clinic 26% increase in Skopje to draft diagnostic and treatment guidelines for malignant diseases. Chaired by Prof. Zllate Stojanovski, the ten‑member body – five members and five alternates – includes no Albanian doctors, drawing criticism over ethnic representation public health budget and raising questions about future appointments. A week later a 22% rise in medical staff salaries. To address personnel shortages, the ministry lifted a hold on hiring 300 health specialists left vacant from specialists, aiming to complete a 2024‑2026 total recruitment plan, pledging to fill these posts target of 600 by the end of 2026 2026, with priority given to address personnel shortages. regional hospitals outside Skopje. However, ethnic tensions resurfaced in July when Klekovski established a Professional Commission for malignant diseases that included no Albanian doctors, drawing criticism over representation. The reforms continue amid parliamentary tensions, as the government pursues EU‑aligned health standards while managing ethnic‑representation concerns. continues to pursue long-term salary increases, projecting a total rise of over 40% by the end of the mandate to stabilize the workforce.

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  1. 2026-08-25 13:53 UTC North Macedonia health reform and ethnic representation
  2. 2026-07-31 11:58 UTC North Macedonia health reform faces ethnic dispute

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