Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia

Back North Macedonia initiates pioneering telemedicine in penitentiary healthcare

Irena BABUSHKOVSKA

Modified 5 Months ago.

North Macedonia initiates pioneering telemedicine in penitentiary healthcare

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”.

Skopje, North Macedonia 23 February 2026

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The action ‘Strengthening the capacities of the penitentiary system in North Macedonia’ is assisting the authorities in North Macedonia in enhancing the prison reform, as well as the protection of prisoners’ human rights.

In line with Council of Europe’s standards and best practices, the action is contributing in the process of improving the protection of human rights of the persons deprived of liberty. The action is being implemented in co-operation with the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions (Ministry of Justice), and the Ministry of Health.

This action is part of the joint programme of the European Union and the Council of Europe “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” running from 2023 until December 2026.

What is the goal(s) and objective(s) of the action?

Supporting beneficiaries in strengthening the provision of healthcare to sentenced persons and overall co-ordination of the responsible institutions
Improving the training capacities of the prison staff, which will ensure a continuous and sustainable training programme based on identified needs
Strengthening the process of preparation for the release of sentenced persons and the post-penal assistance
Enhancing the oversight and monitoring system over the police and prisons
Introducing an effective communication structure within the penitentiary system

Who benefits from the action?

This action is closely working with public authorities in the field including the Directorate for the Execution of Sanctions, its Training Centre, as well as the Ministry of Health.

The prison staff (both security and rehabilitation departments), medical workers in the penitentiary institutions, as well as the management of all penitentiary institutions will also benefit from the implementation of this action

Certainly, final beneficiaries are the sentenced persons and those deprived of liberty, as well as the society at large

How does the action work?

The action will provide capacity building and technical assistance to related beneficiaries in the efforts to enhance the prison reform and improve prisoners’ rights, in line with European standards.

All objectives and activities were identified in an inclusive manner, with all the beneficiaries who are also part of the steering committee that periodically reviews the achievements of the action.

The action is implemented through desk reviews and providing consultants’ advice (both domestic and international), working sessions and trainings, as well as piloting the designed programmes. Annual roundtables are planned with the stakeholders, focusing on different topics that are relevant. The action is flexible and upcoming additional requests coming from the beneficiaries may be integrated in the workplan.

What do we expect to achieve?

This action builds upon the results achieved under the previous phases of the Horizontal Facility programme aiming to better protect the rights of sentenced persons, in line with European standards. It is expected that the action will achieve:

the overall provision of healthcare in prisons is improved;
enhanced co-ordination capacities within the Ministry of Health, concerning the provision of healthcare in prisons;
the inmates’ reintegration process is improved and supported by the actors in charge;
a training strategy and curricula for the prison staff are developed and operational for the needs of the Training Centre;
enhanced oversight and monitoring over police and prisons to ensure the protection of human rights of the persons deprived of liberty.

What is the budget of the action?

The total budget of the action is 950,000 Euros.

The budget allocated to the overall Horizontal Facility programme amounts to ca. 41 Million EUR (85% funded by the European Union, 15% by the Council of Europe).

How to get more information?

https://www.coe.int/en/web/cooperation-in-police-and-deprivation-of-liberty

Horizontal Facility website and e-mail address

About Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye?

The “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye” is a joint initiative of the European Union and the Council of Europe that enables the Western Balkans Beneficiaries and Türkiye to meet their reform agendas in the fields of human rights, rule of law and democracy and to comply with the European standards, which is also a priority for the EU enlargement process.