Thousands Rally in Skopje, Demanding Justice for Cancer Patients Denied Life-Saving Treatment

Thousands of people took to the streets of Skopje, the capital city of North Macedonia, in a massive protest outside the government headquarters. The protesters were demanding the resignation of the country's health minister and hospital management over allegations that patients at a state cancer hospital had missed life-saving treatment due to stolen drugs being sold on the black market. The demonstrators chanted "Murderers" and expressed their anger over the loss of their loved ones. Several individuals shared heartbreaking stories of their relatives who had lost their lives after being given placebos instead of proper chemotherapy because the drugs had been stolen.

One young man spoke of his mother's worsening condition after being admitted to the clinic, ultimately leading to her untimely demise. The man described the alleged behavior of the hospital as "monstrous." The government and hospital officials were quick to reassure the public that cancer patients were not at risk, and prosecutors launched an investigation into the claims. Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski sympathized with the anger and indignation of the people but stressed that the entire state health system should not be blamed for the scandal.

The scandal came to light several months ago following media reports into the alleged scheme. In May, a nurse at the Skopje hospital was arrested for smuggling cancer drugs out of the building, captured on CCTV. It was alleged that the drugs were stolen for sale on the black market. Last Friday, the police conducted raids on the hospital and the homes of two staff members, seizing important documents, computers, and data drives. No arrests were made, and no charges have been filed as of yet. Health Minister Fatmir Mexhiti and hospital director Violeta Klisarova held a press conference in Skopje to address the concerns. They emphasized that patients were safe and there was no manipulation in the provision of therapy.

Klisarova assured that the hospital had revised its protocols since the nurse's arrest and restricted staff access to cancer drugs. Mexhiti promised to do everything in his power to investigate and resolve the case, stating that the ministry would work closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough and impartial investigation. North Macedonia's President Stevo Pendarovski expressed hope that the investigation would lead to appropriate punishment for those found guilty. Pendarovski's office released a statement highlighting the failure of the state health system and the need to combat severe forms of organized crime and corruption, ending the culture of impunity for serious violations of the laws.

The conservative main opposition party, VMRO-DPMNE, capitalized on the situation and called for the government's resignation, amplifying demands that they have been pressing for months due to a dispute over proposed constitutional changes to expand the official list of ethnic minorities in the country. The protests have shed light on a grave issue that has deeply impacted the people of North Macedonia. The calls for justice, the demand for accountability, and the push for reforms are indicative of a nation that refuses to tolerate any compromise when it comes to the lives of its citizens.