People in prison have the same right to healthcare as everyone else. But having that right on paper does not always mean receiving medical care when it is needed.
A new report by the Ombudsperson, covering 11 prisons in North Macedonia, shows that none has healthcare staff on duty around the clock. Four do not have permanent healthcare staff, while seven face overcrowding. The report also identifies delays in specialist treatment, difficulties accessing medication and gaps in mental healthcare.
To discuss these findings and what needs to change, the OSCE Mission to Skopje and the Ombudsperson brought together representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, prison administrations and other relevant institutions.
"When the same problems are reported year after year, it is a sign that the system is not delivering the expected results. We need practical solutions that are actually implemented," said Faton Selami, Ombudsperson of North Macedonia.
The discussion focused on practical ways to address the problems identified in the report, including ensuring sufficient medical staff, improving emergency response, making specialist treatment and medication more accessible, and strengthening mental health support.
"The deprivation of liberty must never mean the deprivation of dignity," said Ambassador Kilian Wahl, Head of the OSCE Mission to Skopje. "People in detention remain entitled to respect for their human rights, including their right to healthcare."
Participants also examined how prisons, healthcare providers and the responsible institutions can work better together to ensure that people receive the care they need, regardless of where they are detained.
