As with other Balkan countries, Macedonia is one of the poorest countries in Europe, instability and ethnic differences further complicate the differences of health related problems in different and often adjoining parts of the country. Following an assessment and after extensive consultation with local charities and Ministry of Health officials it agreed DWW would set up a primary care clinic in Skopje, specifically to serve the poorer underserved community. DWW, work in collaboration with a local NGO called "Cultural Humanitarian Organization of Merhamet" (CHOM). The main clinic was to act as a referral centre for the even poorer peripheral clinics in the surrounding countryside.

In January 2004, this project provided a fully functioning clinic, with its own lab and specialist clinics. DWW provided the initial capital costs and running costs for the first one year. The clinic treated number of patients for free; it also was registered with the social care scheme in Macedonia providing free care for those registered.

In addition the primary care clinic, DWW sent over £30,000 worth of donated medical equipment, including ultrasound machines, endoscopy units, lab equipment and cardiac equipment. These were donated to Merhamet clinic in Scopje.

Total population (2005)

2,045,262

GDP per capita (Intl $, 2004)

7100

Life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2003)

69 / 75

Healthy life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2002)

61 / 65

Child mortality m/f (per 1000)

13 / 11

Adult mortality m/f (per 1000)

202 / 86

Total health expenditure per capita (Intl $, 2002)

124

Total health expenditure as % of GDP (2002)

6.8

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