The Control and Prevention of Communicable Diseases in IPH and epidemiological services in the public health centers in the country,- epidemiological activity is conducted on the basis of the health care law, the Law on the protection of the population from infectious diseases, laws in this area, as and on the basis of programs adopted by the Government.

According to this legislation, the global policy recommendations “Health for All” policy and “21 targets for the 21st century” and further evaluation of  the preventive health care in the country, in the future,  it is important to reduce the negative effects that certain infectious diseases have on the health status of the population and provide the control, elimination and eradication of these diseases.

In the context of the efforts of the Republic of North Macedonia to approximate relations to the European Union, and final approval of the candidacy of our country to join the EU in future, epidemiological activity will continue its activities aimed at compliance with legislation of the European Community.

 Priority objectives in the field of epidemiology are:

Maintaining the results achieved with the eradication of polio;
Elimination of neonatal tetanus;
Elimination of indigenous measles and rubella and preventing congenital rubella infection (CRE);
Control of other diseases against which compulsory vaccinationis implemented;
Continuous monitoring and enhanced implementation of the mandatory immunization of all girls aged 12 years against HPV infection, was introduced as a new vaccine in 2009, with the aim of preventing cancer of uterus, condylomas and their consequences;
Reducing the high morbidity of enterocolitis on infants from viral hepatitis A, salmonellosis and other intestinal infectious diseases;
Reducing morbidity from other viral hepatitis;
Reducing the risk of spread of malaria and other parasitic diseases; vector-borne diseases (West Nile virus, dengue)
Reducing the risk of spread of cholera and other tropical diseases and quarantine;
Reducing the incidence of Brucellosis and other zoonoses;
Natural focus infections;
Prevention of HIV / AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections;
Prevention and treatment of intra-hospital infections;
Monitoring and supervision of influenza and other acute respiratory diseases;
Prevention and treatment of infectious diseases of greater epidemiological and social importance, such as: the individual cases of new infectious diseases, which occur again and epidemics of infectious diseases;
Sector for control and prevention of communicable diseases in the IPH implements the following activities:

  • Monitoring, investigation and analysis of the epidemiological situation and solving the problems related to the epidemiological infectious diseases and of certain areas and the whole country;
  • Collecting, processing and analysing of applications for infectious diseases / causes of infectious diseases and epidemiological surveys, epidemiological insights and information about the situation in the regions, recommending measures and activities for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and control over their implementation.
  • Preparation of weekly reports, monthly newsletters with epidemiological comments, periodic and annual reports, information and analysis on the status and progress of infectious diseases and measures taken for their prevention and suppression;
  • Developing operational plans in case of an increasing number of diseases or epidemic, with Anti-epidemic measures and activities for the entire healthcare system, as well as information and reports on the activities carried out;
  • Implementation of measures and activities for prevention and treatment of intra-hospital infections.
  • Monitoring and control performed prophylactic and epidemiological indications about disinfection, disinsection, deratisation
  • Preparation of annual Program for immunization and monitoring its performance and achievements, indicating the methodological assistance in the preparation of annual operating plans, organization, execution, monitoring, and evaluation of compulsory immunization and preparation of reports and conducted immunization coverage
  • Participation in the work of the professional Commission in the Ministry of Health related to prevention, (prevention) and treatment of infectious diseases and immunization (Committee on Infectious Diseases, Influenza Commission, Commission for tuberculosis, Committee for immunization, etc.).
  • Cooperation with international organizations that deal with the domain of infectious diseases and immunization (WHO, ECDC, CDC).

Departments in the Sector are:

  • Department for monitoring and surveillance of communicable diseases
  • Department for HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections, tropical diseases and quarantine
  • Department for surveillance of immunization
  • Department of planning and control of DDD