22-year-old Ile Strezoski, who suffered from heart disease, became the recipient of a healthy heart belonging to 20-year-old Verica Belchovska who lost her life in a car accident.
(Pictured above, Verica and her brother Martin)
The Belchovski family from the village Rusinovo near Berovo decided to help save the life of another human being, upon learning that Verica is going to suffer the worst fate in her bed at the hospital.
A team of cardiologists at the Zan Mitrev hospital in Skopje ensured that Verica’s heart continues to beat in another human body.
Dr Sashko Jovev, who led the surgery, made history in Macedonia when he completed the first heart transplant in 2020.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of Dr Zhan Mitrev who is a world-renowned heart surgeon and founded a state of the art hospital in Skopje.
Two other organs from Verica’s body were also transplanted. One of her kidneys is now in the body of a 27-year-old patient on dialysis. The other kidney has been given to a 40-year-old patient.
Marija Mojsova, the national coordinator for organ transplantation has thanked the families who ensured their loved one’s organs are donated in order to save lives.
“There are families with a big heart to whom we are infinitely thankful.
It is very difficult to discuss the subject during such a painful time.
I want to thank all of the members of the team that performed the surgeries.
We hope that this information will reach the entire public so that people learn about the importance of donating an organ.
For some people, this is the only chance for life.
We are making good headways in organizing a system for future transplantations” stated Dr Maja Mojsova.
On 23 May 2020, Emilija Dineva of Star Dojran became the first heart donor enabling the first heart transplant in Macedonia.
Emilija had lost her life after falling from a moped. She was in clinical death when her husband, son and daughter made the decision to donate her heart.
