Citizens of Stip are setting up collection points for donations to help Riste Donev, a 54 year old Covid-19 patient whose family was forced to seek treatment in a private clinic.

Donev was initially treated in the Stip general hospital, but as his condition deteriorated, doctors said he needs to be treated in one of the two public clinics in Skopje, but no room was available. Only the Kozle clinic, the third Covid-19 center in Skopje, could take him in, but doctors there said that are only equipped for less severe patients. Desperate, the family racked up 12,000 EUR in debt taking Riste to a private clinic.

Donev and his wife work in a textile factory and don’t have the money to pay the loan. That is why his son has taken to social media and is seeking help from the citizens of Stip.