Public Healthcare Appointment Shortages Push Patients to Private Clinics

North Macedonia's "Moj Termin" electronic system, designed for transparent access to specialist appointments, is currently showing significant shortages and waiting times stretching for days or even months. An analysis of publicly available data on the portal reveals striking disparities in the engagement of public healthcare doctors. For certain specialties, the scarcity of available appointments in the public sector is forcing patients to seek care in private facilities, often referred to as a "second shift." This situation is creating a dual-track healthcare system where those who can afford it bypass lengthy public waiting lists. The implications for equitable access to healthcare are significant, as financial barriers become a primary determinant of timely medical attention. The "Moj Termin" system's failure to provide adequate access highlights systemic issues within the public health infrastructure. Patients are increasingly finding themselves in a position where they must choose between prolonged waiting periods for essential services or incurring out-of-pocket expenses for private consultations. This trend could exacerbate health inequalities across the population.