INDICATORS OF RURAL POVERTY IN THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA - MULTIDIMENSIONAL POVERTY ANALYSIS

Rural poverty presents an escalating problem for post-communist countries struggling with perpetual transition towards market economy. As a country deriving from such economic background, Republic of Macedonia is classified as one of the poorest countries in Europe. The rural population in the country is faced with different obstacles such as: limited access to institutions, infrastructure, finances, and other aspects which not only impede these population’s living conditions but also obstruct the development and growth of the rural areas. In order to provide detailed description of the rural poverty situation as well as to identify the vulnerable and depraved group in the rural areas in the Republic of Macedonia, this paper represents an initial record of the poverty conditions in the rural areas. The poverty features are presented through the multidimensional poverty analytical tool and the indicators and dimensions of poverty on micro and macro (country) level in order to describe the socio-economic, environmental, political and institutional context. The comprehensive multi-dimensional analysis of the poverty dimensions in the Republic of Macedonia gives overview of the rural poverty situation and highlights several groups, suffering from multiple deprivations such as rural woman and agriculture households, which are part of an extremely vulnerable group, with the highest risk of going under the poverty base lines

MULTIDIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS OF RURAL POVERTY IN NORTH MACEDONIA

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the various aspects that address and shape poverty in rural areas in the Republic of North Macedonia. Applying the "Multidimensional Tool for Poverty Analysis” approach supports understanding multiple deprivations and how different power relations, structures, conditions, and issues coincide to keep people in poverty. The model identifies four interrelated dimensions of poverty representing the internal factors such as resources, opportunities and choice, power and voice, and human security. In addition, external factors were analyzed representing the development context such as political and institutional, economic and social, environmental, and conflict and peaceful contexts. Primary and secondary data sources are used for the analysis. Field research (survey) is a new approach that complements and upgrades data from secondary sources that have so far been the basis of analyzes of this kind. The survey covered 103 households that predominantly live in rural areas, or around 76% of the total sample, while the remaining part of the sample is a control group, and those are households living in urban areas. The data triangulation aims to give a clearer picture of the problems and challenges posed by poverty in rural and urban areas and identifies the discrepancies in the living conditions between the rural and urban areas, as well as the most vulnerable groups living on the edge of poverty, etc., which should be supported by the future policies with targeted measures

Најнови сознанија за рехабилитација на пациенти со Паркинсонова болест

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Given the progressive course and numerous motor and motor symptoms, this disorder can significantly affect person's functional status, quality of life, and disability. Possibility of treatment and prevention of parkinsonism varies depending on the type of Parkinson's disease. Medication, physical therapy and surgical treatment are used. Effective pharmacologic therapy includes comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, starting at the time of diagnosis. It can prevent and treat complications, slow the progression of symptoms, and enhance adaptation to the newly acquired condition. It is necessary to stimulate mechanisms of compensation and neuroplasticity. Experiences show that kinesiotherapy and physical agents are effective in the treatment of pain, walking disorders, postural instability and risk of falls. There are also alternative techniques such as yoga, tai chi, acupuncture, dance therapy, music therapy that have a positive impact on the disease. The efficacy of neurofeedback, art therapy in improving and maintaining cognitive functions has been demonstrated. Occupational therapy is of great importance for empowering the patient with activities of daily living, especially for self-care. Education and support from family and carers, as well as home and workplace adaptation, play an important role in rehabilitation. Rehabilitation and physical therapy for this disease is carried out systematically and for a lifetime. A multidisciplinary approach in treating patients with Parkinson's disease enables the maintenance of quality of life.Паркинсоновата болест е една од најчестите невродегенеративни заболувања. Со оглед на прогресивниот тек  и бројните моторни и немоторни симптоми, оваа болест може значително да влијае на функционалниот статус на лицето, квалитетот на животот и инвалидитетот. Можноста за лекување и превенција кај пациентите се различни и зависат  од видот на  Паркинсоновата болест. Се применува медикаментозна терапија, физикална терапија и хируршко лекување. Со ефективна фармаколошка терапија, сеопфатна физикална терапија и рехабилитација, која започнува од моментот на  дијагностицирање на болеста, можат да се спречат и лекуваат компликациите, да се забави прогресијата на симптомите и да се постигне прилагодување на новостекнатата состојба. Она што се бара е да се стимулираат механизми за компензација и невропластичност. Искуствата покажуваат дека кинезитерапијата и физикалните агенси се ефикасни во третман на болката, нарушување на одењето, постурална нестабилност и ризикот од пад. Исто така, постојат и алтернативни  техники како јога, тај чи, акупунктура, танц терапија, терапија со музика, кои позитивно влијаат на болеста. Докажана е ефикасноста на неврофидбек и арт терапијата во подобрување и одржување на конгнитивните функции. Работната терапија е од големо значење заради оспособување на пациентот за активности во  секојдневниот живот, особено за самозгрижување. Во рехабилитацијата важна улога играат едукацијата и поддршката од семејството и старателите, како и адаптацијата на домот и работното место. Рехабилитацијата и физикалната терапија кај оваа болест се спроведуваат систематски и доживотно. Мултидисциплинарниот пристап во лекувањето на пациентите со Паркинсонова болест овозможува одржување на квалитетот на живот

MACEDONIAN AGRICULTURAL CAPITAL MARKET AND SUPPORTING MECHANISMS: AN OVERVIEW

The Macedonian agricultural capital market is not efficient enough, although there have been some improvements due to the established supporting mechanisms. This paper aims to identify current gaps between agricultural financial services’ and mechanisms’ supply and demand on the agricultural capital market. In this regard, literature and other available secondary sources have been reviewed. Additionally, focused discussions with different stakeholders in the agricultural capital market were conducted, including representatives from the capital demand side (farmers and their associations), and supply side (banks, saving houses, and their associations), as well as supporting institutions and intermediaries (government institutions and donor projects that work towards improvement of farmers’ access to finance in the country). Crediting is one of the key drivers of agricultural and rural development. There are other external financial sources that should be considered, which could contribute in improved capital flow to the agricultural sector. The results revealed critical segments in the agricultural capital market based on the mismatches between the supply and demand for capital and supporting mechanisms, and suggest directions for further improvements of this market. The findings may serve as a baseline for future policy settings and enhancement of a more efficient development of the agricultural capital market in the country