VMRO-DPMNE official doctor Marija Andonovska revealed abuse on part of the Healthcare Ministry which gave preferential treatment to a drug whole-seller linked to an official of the ruling SDSM party. Andonovska revealed that standards for the procurement of flu shots were changed and this ended benefiting the Elbijor company. This company is owned by Stojmir Petrov, father in law of doctor Hristijan Kostov, who SDSM appointed as head of the 8th of September hospital.

In the 2019 and 2020 contracts there was an added requirement, that the shots are made suitable for children aged six months and above. This meant that the contract was won by Elbijor. In prior years, when this was not a requirement, it was won by other companies, Andonovska said.

She pointed to the long delay in the distribution of the shots, despite the critical state of public healthcare which struggles to handle the coronavirus. “There is virtually no interest in vaccinating chidren. What was then the reason to add this requirement to the contract, other than ensuring that only one company will be eligible to compete. This lead to a huge delay in distribution”, Andonovska said.

Healthcare Minister Venko Filipce needs to respond whether he tailored the contract to suit the needs of a close relative of Hristijan Kostov? Is the Ministry putting profits before public health, at a time when every penny used by the public healthcare is badly needed?, Andonovska said.