Venko Filipče

Venko Filipče (born 13 June 1977) is a Macedonian neurosurgeon, former health minister of North Macedonia from 2017 to 2022, and the president of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia. He served as the health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia. In addition to his work as a surgeon and health minister, Filipče has also published scientific articles in medical neurosurgical journals.

Early life and education Venko Filipče was born on 13 June 1977 in Skopje. He is the son of Ilija Filipče, a Macedonian doctor and a professor, who served as the minister of health of the Republic of Macedonia in the period between 1994 and 1997.

In addition to his PhD, Filipče also studied for a year at Ohio State University and Dayton, Ohio in the field of neurosurgery. He also received training in endovascular techniques in neurosurgery at medical centers in Ljubljana, Istanbul, Zürich, Graz and Belgrade.

Filipče served as the Health Minister during the COVID-19 pandemic in North Macedonia, which gave him a lot of exposure during his frequent public appearances and press conferences.

On 10 September 2021, following a fire incident at a modular COVID unit in Tetovo in which 14 patients lost their lives, Filipče announced a written resignation to the PM due to "moral reasons".

On 30 June 2024, he became the president of the Social Democratic Union of Macedonia.

Personal life Filipče is married and has one son.

List of published articles