EU4Health Access: The EU signed an agreement associating North Macedonia with EU4Health, letting health authorities and both public and private entities access funding from 1 January 2026 to support prevention, diagnosis and treatment (including cardiovascular disease and cancer), mental health for young people, critical medicines and stockpiling, and cross-border health threats. AI for Healthcare Capacity: Skopje launched the “Vezilka” national AI center, a three-year EUR 6.2m project led by Ss. Cyril and Methodius University with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, linking local science, institutions and companies to European AI infrastructure and supercomputers via the Pharos AI Factory. Cross-Border Citizen Support: Ombudsmen from Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia agreed to help people dealing with problems across borders, including healthcare access, civil documents, family decisions and university diplomas, with a joint yearly human-rights report planned. Public Health Risk from Climate: A major Europe heatwave is driving emergency measures, including health-focused restrictions like alcohol bans in red-alert areas, school closures and event cancellations—raising concerns for vulnerable groups, including older people and children. Coal Pollution and Health: A Bankwatch report says Western Balkans coal plants, including in North Macedonia, breached sulphur dioxide and dust pollution limits in 2025, underscoring ongoing public health costs from coal dependence. Local Politics and EU Stagnation: The Alliance for Albanians warned EU integration progress is stalled due to “political calculations,” arguing constitutional amendments are still the key condition—an issue that could affect future health and social investment priorities.