North Macedonia is testing a new telemedicine initiative that could allow medical specialists from the country living and working across Europe to support patient treatment remotely, as authorities seek solutions to the growing shortage of doctors.
According to health sector officials, the project would enable diaspora physicians and specialists to provide professional consultations, second opinions, and clinical guidance for complex medical cases in hospitals and clinics across North Macedonia. The initiative is currently in its pilot phase and is being closely monitored before a possible nationwide rollout.
Medical representatives say telemedicine is already widely used in advanced healthcare systems worldwide and could help strengthen patient care, especially in regions facing limited access to specialist services. However, representatives from the Chamber of Doctors stress that while the project is a positive step, the long-term priority must remain investing in young domestic doctors, expanding employment opportunities, and improving working conditions inside the country.
Public reaction has been mixed. Some citizens question whether doctors based abroad can make accurate diagnoses without direct physical examinations, while others support the project, saying international specialists can provide valuable medical analysis through imaging scans, laboratory results, and remote consultations.
The pilot program has already started in Dibër and Delçevo, where patients are receiving remote medical services with support from healthcare teams in Skopje. Officials from the Ministry of Health are now exploring the possibility of formally integrating medical experts from the diaspora into the national healthcare system.
The initiative comes as North Macedonia continues to face a significant healthcare workforce crisis, with many doctors leaving the country each year in search of better professional opportunities abroad.