Press Release

A panel discussion was held at the premises of the Government of the Republic of Macedonia on the occasion of the historic increase in the capitation point in primary health care, covering family doctors in the fields of general medicine, gynaecology and general dentistry.

The panel discussion was moderated by the Government spokesperson, Marija Miteva. Participants in the discussion included the Director of the Health Insurance Fund of Macedonia, Mr Sasho Klekovski, the President of the Association of Private Doctors of Macedonia (APDM), Dr Lilija Cholakova-Dervishova, Prof Dr Irena Aleksioska-Papestiev, Director of the University Clinic for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, as well as Mr Loran Strashevski, a family dentist.

Director Klekovski emphasised that this significant increase in the capitation point covers more than 2.000 concluded contracts, of which around 200 are with family gynaecologists, while the majority relate to family doctors in general medicine and general dentistry. In total, more than 2.500 family doctors are covered.

“Over the past decade, we have recorded stagnation and a decline in the number of family doctors - in 2024 alone there are 30 fewer compared with 2023. With this measure we are intervening for two essential reasons: to halt the decline in the number of family doctors and to improve the quality of services in primary health care. We are also encouraged by the WHO recommendations that the state allocates significant funds for hospital treatment, while investments in prevention are insufficient”
- Klekovski pointed out.

Prof Dr Irena Aleksioska-Papestiev stressed the importance of this investment, which will enable greater motivation and engagement of family gynaecologists in implementing screening programmes for the early detection of gynaecological diseases. “This measure achieves long-term savings for the state by reducing the costs of treating patients at tertiary level,” she pointed out.

The President of the APDM, Dr Lilija Cholakova-Dervishova, expressed satisfaction with the increase in the capitation point on her own behalf and on behalf of all family doctors. She particularly highlighted the importance of this incentive for doctors working in rural areas, where conditions are significantly more difficult. She also emphasised the excellent and continuous cooperation with the Health Insurance Fund in resolving all issues related to the work of family doctors.

The family dentist, Mr Loran Strashevski, spoke about the positive effects that this measure will have on dental practice. “The increase in the capitation point will contribute to retaining young dentists in the country and will reduce the risk of dental surgeries closing. This incentive will enable the modernisation of surgeries through the procurement of modern equipment and dental materials,” Strashevski stressed.

The Government of the Republic of Macedonia remains committed to advancing primary health care and supporting family doctors as a key segment in the health care system.