Extraordinary inspections at three hospitals after 19-year-old mother left paralysed

The Ministry of Health said the State Sanitary and Health Inspectorate, acting on the order of Minister Sasho Klekovski, has launched extraordinary inspections at three medical institutions where a 19-year-old woman was treated.

Inspections cover General Hospital Strumica, Clinical Hospital Shtip and the University Clinic of Neurology in Skopje. Ministry officials said the full medical records from all three facilities will be collected in the coming days and examined by the inspectorate.

Independent review and possible measures

After the documentation is reviewed, the inspectorate will draw conclusions from the expert oversight and "if shortcomings are found, appropriate measures will be taken," the Ministry said. The statement added that the dignity, privacy and personal and medical data of the patient will be protected, and urged the public to refrain from speculation and premature conclusions while procedures are ongoing.

The Ministry also appealed to media and the public to respect the dignity of health workers, noting that any potential responsibility "can be determined only after completion of the expert oversight." Officials pledged to inform the public transparently about findings and further steps once the inspections conclude.

The case involves a 19-year-old woman from the village of Banica, near Strumica, who after a cesarean section performed at Clinical Hospital Shtip was left with paraplegia and now uses a wheelchair. She is the mother of two children.

Vladko Zahariev, director of Clinical Hospital Shtip, said the patient was discharged after the cesarean section "in good general condition," and later reported weakness in her lower limbs. Zahariev added: "A professional team will be formed; if medical error is determined, there will be accountability."

Photo: press material from the event