Conclusion of an Agreement for Molecular-Diagnostic Analyses with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Today the Health Insurance Fund (HIF) concluded an agreement with the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics (FNSM) at Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje for the performance of molecular-diagnostic analyses.
The agreement was signed by the General Director of the Health Insurance Fund, Mr Sasho Klekovski, and the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Mr Davorin Trpeski.
The Laboratory for Molecular Biology and Genomics at the FNSM is one of the most modern laboratories in the country. It has advanced equipment for molecular-diagnostic analyses, including next-generation sequencing (NGS).
The first objective at this moment is expanding the network and increasing capacity for oncological analyses, namely for the precise and rapid identification of gene mutations which are key to the selection of targeted oncological therapy. The state-of-the-art equipment and expert staff with many years of experience will contribute to a more efficient response to the increased need for oncological analyses in the health system and will provide significant support to existing capacities.
The second objective is that, as an educational and scientific institution in the field of molecular biology and genetics, the FNSM will, through this agreement, provide students and employees with greater opportunities for practical application of the acquired knowledge.
With this agreement the national network for molecular-diagnostic services is being expanded, which represents a significant step forward for the health system in the country.
At present, the Fund has agreements for NGS analyses with the following institutions:
- Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) - mainly for rare and hereditary diseases,
- Faculty of Medicine - Institute of Pathology - mainly for oncology,
- Faculty of Medicine - Institute of Immunology - mainly for immunodeficiencies and transplantations,
- Faculty of Medicine - Institute of Forensic Medicine - mainly for forensics,
- Faculty of Pharmacy - mainly for haematology and oncology,
- Institute of Public Health - mainly for virology.
NGS analyses are also performed by private laboratories, as well as the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
| Category | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 (Jan. - Oct. ) | Projection 2025 |
| Faculty of Medicine - IP | 787 packages 23.023.600 den. | 304 packages 12.227.400 den. | 524 packages 17.906.300 den. | 629 packages 21.487.560 den. |
| MANU | 385 packages 23.257.300 den. | 640 packages 40.475.000 den. | 577 packages 33.338.000 den. | 692 packages 40.005.600 den. |
| Other | 2 packages 120.000 den. | 1 package 41.000 den. | 87 packages 4.275.700 den. | 104 packages 5.130.840 den. |
| Total | 1.174 packages 46.400.900 den. | 945 packages 52.743.400 den. | 1.188 packages 55.520.000 den. | 1.426 packages 66.624.000 den. |
Table 1. Overview of the number of analyses (packages) and budget for NGS (oncology and rare diseases)
The number of services in 2025 (projection) has increased by around 22 % compared with 2023, while the budget has increased by over 40 %, enabling more comprehensive and more complex genetic investigations.
Cancer diagnostics are being improved, with the aim of achieving greater success in treatment.
This agreement represents the beginning of broader cooperation. Discussions are being held with the FNSM on the introduction of new services, including preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) in pregnancies with biomedical assisted fertilisation (BAF). This involves the analysis of several cells from the embryo before it is placed in the uterus, with the aim of selecting embryos without pathological mutations. This significantly reduces the risk of certain congenital diseases occurring and increases the chance of a successful pregnancy.
