In the Cabinet of the President of the Republic of North Macedonia, a lecture on “Covid 19 – Challenges, Preparation for a Possible New Wave, Past Experiences and Treatment” was held last night.
The Minister of Health, Venko Filipce, Jihan Tavila, Head of the World Health Organization in Skopje, Kristina Stavridis from the Institute of Public Health and the Director of the University Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Febrile Conditions, Milena Stevanovic, delivered speeches at the event.
Addressing the present students from the Medical Faculty in Skopje, the President’s Wife expressed satisfaction with their interest in getting acquainted with the challenges arising from Covid 19. She said that the global pandemic, and in anticipation of the twin pandemic (parallel increase of the number of flu and Covid-19 patients), requires a serious and responsible approach and that their contribution and active involvement are more than welcome.
“It is extremely important that we all contribute to ending the stigmatization of the sick. I urge respect for all measures, absolutely, but everyone who is infected, everyone who is sick – does not want to be sick. I think that stigmatization also leads to people hiding their contacts and in that way it is impossible to get the right epidemiological picture”, the President’s Wife said, urging students in their daily communication to pay attention to that aspect as well.
Minister Filipce stressed the importance of the multi-sectoral approach for successful dealing with the corona virus. Speaking about the challenges in health, he stressed that partial solutions will not give the desired result, but a systemic approach based on country-specific parameters, which are easy to analyze.
“One really big segment in improving and strengthening the health care system is communication, and what we are doing now. In the past period we were open and transparent for communication; students and especially trainees were practically present in the Ministry and gave suggestions, because imposed solution are no good. You cannot find a solution that will be good only for the state, without being good for those to whom that solution refers”, the Minister said.
The Head of the World Health Organization in Skopje, Jihan Tavila, expressed satisfaction with the partnership, open and transparent cooperation with the Ministry of Health in our country, congratulating the achievements in terms of capacity expansion in more successful dealing with Covid-19.
“What is important is a comprehensive strategy and consistent communication – informing the population. We have to fight against fake news and misinformation, and in the best position to do that are the health professionals”, Tavila said.
Dr. Kristina Stavridis presented the latest epidemiological situation, while As. Dr. Milena Stevanovic spoke about the latest treatment methods used in the treatment of Covid-19 patients.
The event is part of the initiative launched in February at the Office of President MladiHub with the medical lecture by Minister Venko Filipce, which continued in Villa Vodno with a lecture by the President’s Wife on: “Simplified 3D visualization: µCT evaluation in in vitro and in vivo” and with the lectures on the occasion of the World Alzheimer’s Day by As. Dr. sci Gabriela Novotni from the Medical faculty and Prof. Dr. Kristina Mitic from the Faculty of Dentistry in Skopje.
The main goal of this activity is for students and young doctors to learn more about the Covid-19 pandemic, the challenges faced, the preparations for a possible new wave, as well as the past experiences in prevention and treatment by competent persons.
