Patient from Ohrid flown to Berlin for heart transplant
D. N. from Ohrid transported by government plane to a University Clinical Center in Berlin; authorities say transfer was urgent due to deteriorating condition and lack of a donor at home.
A patient identified as D. N. from Ohrid, suffering from a serious heart condition, was flown today to a University Clinical Center in Berlin, Germany, on the government aircraft, government sources said at a briefing on August 19, 2026.
"The patient had previously been treated for an extended period at the Clinic for Cardiac Surgery and had been deemed eligible for a heart transplant. Due to deterioration of his health and the need for urgent treatment, and because of the lack of a suitable donor in the country, an urgent procedure was initiated for treatment abroad."
The transfer was arranged through the Health Insurance Fund (FZO) with logistical and administrative support from the Ministry of Health, officials added.
"The German medical center accepted the patient for stabilization and preparation for the surgical procedure, where now the appearance of a suitable donor is awaited in order to carry out the heart transplant," government sources said at the briefing.
Current status and next steps
According to the information provided, the Berlin centre will keep the patient under observation and complete pre‑operative preparations while specialists monitor for a compatible donor. No further personal details were released by the authorities.
The move follows an extended treatment period at the domestic Clinic for Cardiac Surgery and reflects authorities' assessment that a timely transplant could not be secured within the country.
Photo: press material from the event
