Health institutions in Macedonia will start implementing the standards of the Joint Commission International (JCI) in order to improve the functioning and the level of services offered by health organizations.

JCI accreditation standards are divided into two parts. The first one refers to patients i.e. in providing care for them and the second one is connected with organizing healthcare and management.

The accreditation lasts for three years after which it needs to be renewed.

"It is an ambitious objective that is intended to seriously change the system of organization, functioning and level of quality in health institutions in Macedonia," Health Minister Nikola Todorov said at a press conference on Sunday.

Joint Commission International is an international arm of the Joint Commission for accreditation of health organizations in the United States. Formed in 1998, it specializes in accrediting health organizations outside the U.S. It is a worldwide recognized organization for assessment of the quality of health organization and its mission is to raise the safety and quality of patient care.