# North Macedonia PET/CT scanner and cyclotron disruption

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-petct-scanner-service-disruption
> Updated: 2026-08-18T18:53:27.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 3.

The state-owned PET/CT scanner in North Macedonia, the country’s only such device for assessing cancer progression, has faced significant operational challenges. While initial reports indicated the scanner itself was non-functional, Minister of Health Sašo Klevkovski has clarified that the scanner remains operational, but the cyclotron used to produce the necessary scanning agent has been out of service for over a month.

This malfunction, attributed to improper maintenance by the supplier involving restricted-regime oil, threatens to reduce the volume of scans performed. Last year, the facility scanned 2,705 patients, an increase from previous years when figures ranged between 1,800 and 2,200.

To resolve the shortage, the government is attempting to secure raw materials from Belgium and the United States. Foreign Minister Timcho Mutunski is coordinating with Brussels to expedite export permits from Belgium. Additionally, health institutions have been directed to seek supplies from Bulgaria or Turkey as alternatives. 

Previously, the failure forced oncology patients to seek private diagnostics or travel abroad at costs of roughly 1,300 euros, expenses which the Health Insurance Fund (FSSH) stated it cannot reimburse. Political criticism from the Levica party has targeted the Ministry of Health, citing a May 2025 State Audit Office report that warned of the risks of relying on a single scanner and noted failures in preventive maintenance protocols.

## Claims

- Required raw materials for the cyclotron must be sourced from the United States or Belgium. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The health institution has been instructed to seek alternative sources from Bulgaria or Turkey. (disputed by 6 sources)
- The PET scanner is functional, but the cyclotron used to produce the necessary scanning agent is malfunctioning. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The cyclotron defect resulted from improper maintenance by the supplier involving a restricted-regime oil. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- Foreign Minister Timcho Mutunski is coordinating with Brussels to expedite export permits from Belgium. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- In the previous year, 2,705 patients underwent PET scans due to improved organization. (corroborated by 6 sources)
- The cyclotron has been out of operation for over a month. (corroborated by 6 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-18: Macedonia health ministry addresses cyclotron malfunction affecting PET scans

Macedonian Health Minister Sasho Klekovski stated a cyclotron malfunction, caused by improper maintenance, has halted PET scans for over a month. Efforts are underway to source materials from the US, Belgium,or

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-health-minister-addresses-pet-scanner-and-cyclotron-malfunction

### 2026-08-13: North Macedonia oncology patients face PET scanner shortage

North Macedonian oncology patients face high private costs for PET scans as the nation's only state PET/CT scanner remains offline for two months due to export delays for specialized repair oil.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-oncology-patients-face-pet-scanner-shortage

### 2026-08-11: North Macedonia PET/CT scanner failure sparks healthcare criticism

Levica criticizes the North Macedonian Ministry of Health as the country's only state PET/CT scanner remains broken, forcing cancer patients to pay 1,300 euros for private diagnostics.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/north-macedonia-petct-scanner-failure-sparks-healthcare-criticism

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Cite as: North Macedonia PET/CT scanner and cyclotron disruption. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/north-macedonia-petct-scanner-service-disruption