# North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-modular-hospital-procurement-controversy > Updated: 2026-08-25T07:18:39.000Z. Sources: 36. Developments: 3. The investigation into the procurement of 19 modular hospitals used during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia has been closed by the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office for Prosecution of Organized Crime and Corruption. The prosecution stated there was no evidence of damage to the state budget or abuse of office. Following the decision, political tensions have escalated. Venko Filipče, leader of the SDSM and former Health Minister, welcomed the closure, stating it confirms his integrity and denied any corruption occurred during his tenure. He accused the opposition of a five-year smear campaign. Conversely, the VMRO-DPMNE party has criticized the decision and accused Islam Abazi of protecting Filipče from accountability. The party alleges that the previous government improperly amended the Law on Construction to classify modular hospitals as ‘urban equipment’ to bypass standard regulations, allowing them to be installed without proper registration or medical object status. This classification reportedly prevented the units from being officially registered in the Cadastre. VMRO-DPMNE has highlighted the 2021 Tetovo modular hospital fire, which resulted in 14 deaths, noting that the facility’s former economic director, Artan Etemi, refused to accept the unit and was subsequently sentenced to 1.5 years in prison. The party claims that despite warnings from hospital directors regarding a lack of medical supervision and technical connections, Filipče ordered the units into use. VMRO-DPMNE argues that the failure to bring criminal charges against Filipče is not evidence of innocence but rather a failure of the prosecution. The party continues to contrast these past controversies with its own proposed healthcare investments, including clinical hospitals in Shtip and Tetovo, the expansion of the Kërçovë health center, and a potential new clinical center in Skopje. ## Claims - Modular hospitals were installed during the COVID-19 crisis despite warnings and without meeting legal or technical conditions. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The former economic director of the Tetovo hospital, Artan Etemi, refused to accept and use the hospital until he was sentenced to 1.5 years in prison. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The Cadastre refused to register the modular hospitals because they were purchased as goods and lacked required construction supervision reports. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The World Bank requested approvals and Cadastre extracts to prove the sustainability of the modular hospital project. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Municipalities and the Ministry of Transport and Communications could not issue necessary approvals due to non-compliance with the Law on Construction. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Former official Filipče was spared from criminal responsibility regarding the decision to install the modular hospitals. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: VMRO-DPMNE highlights healthcare investments and modular hospital controversies VMRO-DPMNE highlights new healthcare infrastructure projects while accusing former official Venko Filipče of negligence regarding the controversial installation of modular hospitals. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vmro-dpmne-accuses-officials-of-illegal-modular-hospital-installations ### 2026-08-23: VMRO-DPMNE accuses prosecutor of shielding Venko Filipce VMRO-DPMNE accuses prosecutor Islam Abazi of shielding former Health Minister Venko Filipce from responsibility regarding the controversial and unregulated modular hospitals in North Macedonia. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vmro-dpmne-accuses-abazi-of-protecting-filipche-over-modular-hospital-scandal ### 2026-08-20: North Macedonia prosecution closes modular hospital procurement case North Macedonia's prosecution closed the modular hospital procurement case due to lack of evidence of corruption, sparking political conflict between SDSM and VMRO-DPMNE over accountability for past fatalities. 29 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vmro-dpmne-criticizes-venko-filipce-over-modular-hospital-investigation-closure --- Cite as: North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-modular-hospital-procurement-controversy