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North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy

Updated 4 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-25 11:53 UTC → 2026-08-25 12:42 UTC · added removed

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. Furthermore, VMRO-DPMNE alleges argues that the World Bank requested documentation failure to verify project sustainability, which could bring criminal charges against Filipče is not be provided because municipalities and the Ministry evidence of Transport and Communications could not legally issue approvals due innocence but rather a failure of the prosecution. The party continues to procedural violations. In recent statements, VMRO-DPMNE has contrasted contrast these past controversies with their its own proposed healthcare investments. The party announced plans for investments, including clinical hospitals in Shtip and Tetovo, the expansion of the Kërçovë health center, and the development of a medical sciences faculty. potential new clinical center in Skopje.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-25 12:42 UTC North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy
  2. 2026-08-25 11:53 UTC North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy
  3. 2026-08-25 09:34 UTC North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy
  4. 2026-08-23 12:02 UTC North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy
  5. 2026-08-23 08:32 UTC North Macedonia modular hospital procurement controversy

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