At the request of North Macedonia’s Ministry of Health, the Council of Europe completed for the first time an assessment mission on introducing telemedicine in penitentiary healthcare.  

The findings of the assessment report supported by EU and Council of Europe, were discussed with the public stakeholders in a roundtable in Skopje, including officials from the Ministry of Health and its e-Health Department, the Directorate for Execution of Sanctions, the Agency for Personal Data Protection, as well as the health centres in Skopje and Shtip.

The completed research and on-site assessment show there are basic preconditions to introduce telemedicine in penitentiary healthcare. By looking at the current needs, existing legal framework, and North Macedonia’s overall preparedness to introduce digital healthcare and telemedicine, the Council of Europe identified the main strengths and weaknesses, as well as opportunities and threats. Some key recommendations about the legal and institutional framework, as well as administrative processes were shared with the stakeholders.  

During the meeting, participants underlined that existing political support must be complemented by necessary adjustments to the legal and strategic frameworks, with particular emphasis on establishing a centrally responsible body to co-ordinate prison healthcare. The Council of Europe stands ready to support the authorities in this process. Over the past five years, the European Union and the Council of Europe have been supporting penitentiary healthcare in North Macedonia. Assistance has been through capacity building and standard setting, as well as providing donations in the penitentiary infirmaries.

This activity was conducted under the joint European Union and Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”, and its action “Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia”.