Family says Stip hospital staff pressured patient to say she was discharged “in good health” after C‑section

Family members say 19-year-old Stanka Mihajlova remains immobile in a wheelchair after giving birth at the Clinical Hospital in Stip, and that doctors tried to pressure her to describe her condition differently in a statement. The Health Minister, Sasho Klekovski, has ordered a professional review and an extraordinary inspection of the hospital.

Family alleges pressure to change testimony

Velibran Stojanov, the young woman’s father‑in‑law, told reporters that earlier this morning, during a holiday weekend, gynecologists who came to change Mihajlova’s dressing urged her to say that "she had been discharged home after the C‑section in good health." According to the family, Mihajlova was in fact carried out of the hospital under the arms before discharge and later at home she completely lost sensation in her legs.

The family also highlighted that the hospital discharge document states she was released "in good health" after the C‑section. Stojanov demanded that no doctor at the Stip hospital coerce a hospitalized patient about what she should say, especially while she remains under their medical care and dependent on their assistance.

Members of the family published video material and a live appeal on social media in which Stojanov asked Minister Klekovski to intervene and ensure a full investigation into the circumstances of the birth, the patient’s subsequent immobility and the conduct of hospital staff.

Hospital officials have not publicly commented on the family’s claims. The ministry’s order for a professional review and extraordinary inspection means health authorities will examine medical records and hospital procedures related to the case.

The family says they will await the results of those checks and continue to press for answers about Mihajlova’s condition and why the discharge paperwork describes her as being in good health despite her current immobility.

Photo: press material from the event