Filipce Says He Won’t Run from Responsibility After Investigation Ends

Minister of Health Venko Filipce held a press conference after the terrible tragedy in the modular hospital in Tetovo, where 14 people lost their lives and 12 suffered injuries. “This is a sad day for our country and a huge tragedy that shook us all. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the victims of this accident. What happened in Tetovo shook me deeply. As of yesterday and throughout the night, the entire capacities of the Ministry and all other institutions are fully mobilized in order to determine the causes of this tragedy as soon as possible,” said Filipce. The Minister pointed out that in the investigation of domestic experts will be assisted by experts from abroad, in order to conduct an independent and thorough investigation. He appealed to all findings of the investigation to be presented to the public and as he said, no one will be exempted from responsibility. Regarding the issues related to the quality and safety of the modular hospitals as well as the process of their installation, Filipce pointed out that during the process the strict standards and procedures provided for the implementation of such projects supported by the World Bank were observed. The Ministry of Health will transparently and actively cooperate with the investigative bodies, and Minister Filipce appealed for all other institutions that are part of the investigation to do so, because it is in the common interest to determine exactly what happened. Albanian Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu offered assistance in dealing with the tragedy that occurred at the Modular Hospital in Tetovo in a telephone conversation with her Macedonian counterpart Venko Filipce. “In a conversation with my colleague Venko Filipce, I expressed my sincere and deepest condolences to the citizens who lost their lives in the tragedy that occurred in Tetovo, and to the injured whom I wish speedy recovery. I have expressed our full readiness to help with all the opportunities and resources we have at this difficult time for our neighbours,” Manastirliu wrote on Facebook.