The third edition of the AmCham healthcare conference titled “Driving Societal Value through Healthcare” was held on November 7th, 2024. The conference aimed to review and explore the significant social impacts of healthcare investments and was attended by numerous representatives from institutions, industry leaders and healthcare professionals.
The keynote speaker of the conference, Dr. Wim Grot, a professor at Maastricht University in the Netherlands, spoke about “The Transformative Power of Healthcare”. Based on the results of several scientific studies, the address focused on the economic implications and social value of healthcare. According to Professor Groth, the value offered by the healthcare system is more comprehensive than just improving health and extending life expectancy, so that it also has a key impact on the development of economic capacities and productivity of companies, but also society as a whole.
The data presented by Dr. Groth show that North Macedonia’s investments in the healthcare sector are relatively lower compared to its neighbors and significantly lower compared to Western European countries.
The impact of healthcare investments on the economy was further explained by Dr. Malina Müller, Head of the Health Economics Department at the WifOR Institute in Germany. Her detailed lecture supported by numerous data was an excellent introduction to the first panel discussion on the topic: “Determining the Impact and Value of Healthcare Investments”.
Dr. Miller’s first interlocutor was Mr. Sasho Klekovski, Director of the Health Insurance Fund, who addressed the problems and challenges arising from the insufficient implementation of work plans in the health sector, which, he emphasized, must be consistent and coherent regardless of the changes taking place with the leading positions in the institutions.
The discussion then continued, first, with representatives of international organizations, and then with the business sector, who offered their views and thoughts on the topic, namely: Ms. Rita Columbia, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in North Macedonia; Mr. Akeem Ali, Head of the WHO Office; Mr. François du Toit, Head of the Pharmaceutical Area CEETRIS at Roche; and Mr. Zivko Mukaetov, General Director of Alkaloid AD Skopje.
Based on the discussion that covered different perspectives, it was concluded that strong partnerships and collaboration are vital, as they foster trust and enable honest conversations on critical issues, including spending inefficiencies. It was also emphasized the essential need for data collection and analysis for evidence-based decision-making, as well as appropriate and inclusive planning. Finally, it was emphasized that proactive action must be taken and that the goal remains the health of patients, which not only benefits individuals but also contributes to a healthier economy.
The second panel discussion of the conference, this time on the topic “Prioritizing non-communicable diseases: urgency, strategies and solutions”, opened with an introductory lecture by Mr. Arkadi Sharkov, Health Economist at EKIP Sofia from Bulgaria, while the roles of the panelists were taken by Mr. Igor Nikolov, Health Advisor to the Prime Minister of North Macedonia; Ms. Elena Kjosevska, Head of the Department of Health Promotion and Disease Surveillance at the Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia; Mr. Steve Morton, a public health specialist from the United Kingdom; and Mr. Ivica Belina, President of a coalition of patient organizations from the Republic of Croatia.
The panel highlighted the serious implications in North Macedonia resulting from non-communicable diseases. In response, the need to develop critical measures to effectively address non-communicable diseases was emphasized, such as establishing accurate patient registries, the importance of defining patient-centered healthcare pathways, and the development of comprehensive national (action) plans for the prevention and treatment of malignant diseases.
The final panel of the conference, entitled “Expanding Access: Strategies and Innovations in Health Systems in the Region”, was opened by Ms. Vesna Popova, Vice Chair of the AmCham Health Committee. The panelists, Ms. Vita Godec, CEO of Lenis/Medicopharmacia for Central and Eastern Europe; Mr. Sava Todorov, Director of Public Policy and Communications of MSD for Bulgaria, Albania, North Macedonia and Kosovo; and Mr. Kliti Hoti, CEO of Novartis for Tirana, Skopje and Pristina, discussed various strategies that have proven successful in expanding access to medicines and medical devices in the region’s health systems. The focus was on improving processes related to the positive list of medicines, enabling the conclusion of special agreements (Managed Entry Agreements), and accelerating the establishment of Health Technology Assessment in public health institutions.
The discussions and insights shared at the health conference highlight the need for greater commitment to investments in health, which are one of the key factors for improving the health of the population, as well as fostering comprehensive social value.
