Oct 18, 2023

Alkaloid CEO Panelist at "Transformation 28" Organized by the Red Cross


Alkaloid's mission is complementary to that of the Red Cross.

Zhivko Mukaetov, CEO and President of the Management Board of Alkaloid, spoke at the panel discussion titled: "Building a safe and strong society and the need for efficient resource mobilization in response to modern humanitarian challenges" within the “Transformation 28” event organized by the Macedonian Red Cross. When discussing the ongoing collaboration and corporate models for social responsibility that can be impactful within the "Transformation 28" process, Mukaetov underscored Alkaloid’s activities in cooperation with the Red Cross. He emphasized the critical role of this organization, particularly in terms of quick humanitarian response within society.

"For us as a company and for me as an individual, the Red Cross is a symbol of humanity, solidarity and assistance. It is a place from which a helping hand is extended to anyone in need, an open door for the most disadvantaged in society, and a starting point for any individual or company seeking to embrace social responsibility", Mukaetov expressed.

In recent years, Alkaloid has carried out numerous collaborative initiatives with the Macedonian Red Cross and the Red Cross of the City of Skopje. These initiatives span both social-humanitarian activities and blood donation efforts. Notably, Alkaloid has maintained an active Society of Blood Donors within the company for over 50 years. Over the past 15 months alone, the company organized three successful blood donation campaigns, collecting a total of more than 400 units of donated blood. Furthermore, in 2013, Alkaloid contributed to the renovation and rebranding of the Blood Donation Day Center, continuously supporting its operations. During this period, the company also conducted two large-scale clothing donation campaigns at several drop-off points across its three sites, resulting in the collection of over 3,000 kilograms of clothes with a good use value.

The "Hospital Guide" initiative is another socially beneficial project undertaken in collaboration with the Red Cross, initiated in 2019. Furthermore, in times of natural disasters within the country and the region, Alkaloid wholeheartedly lends its support and assistance in response to the Red Cross appeal. The company extends its help to various vulnerable groups, including the homeless, refugees, and migrants, aiming to uphold the dignity of those who are forced to live in adverse conditions against their will. A large-scale endeavor intended for such vulnerable groups took place in 2015, when Alkaloid organized a humanitarian picnic open to all its employees. During this event, more than 750,000 denars were collected and donated to the Red Cross. Currently, the company plans to initiate a partnership with the organization to provide a new service, "Red Cross - Ambulance Transportation for the Elderly."

Social responsibility has been an integral component of Alkaloid's nine-decade legacy and tradition. The company, along with the Trajche Mukaetov Foundation, actively contributes to the advancement of various aspects of Macedonian society, including healthcare, pharmacy, culture, sports, education, and other broader social spheres.

"Helping people in need will enrich us through a profound experience, namely the satisfaction of knowing that we have performed a good deed. My upbringing instilled in me values of humanity, solidarity, empathy, mutual understanding, and, simultaneously, a deep respect for human diversity, which I also pass on to my children", Mukaetov emphasized in conclusion.

The panel discussion included the participation of the Minister of Health, Dr. Fatmir Mexhiti, the Minister of Labor and Social Policy, Jovanka Trenchevska; the President of the Serbian Red Cross, Dr. Dragan Radovanović, and Armen Grigorian, permanent representative of UNDP in the country. The "Transformation 28" development framework of the Macedonian Red Cross outlined reforms and restructuring plans for the national society, with a focus on four key areas: reorganization of its infrastructure i.e. organizational set-up, cultural transformation, digitalization, as well as reorganization of the programs within the Red Cross.