The total debt of state-run hospitals in Slovakia reached €365 million at the end of 2013, Health Ministry Funding Department head Viktor Očkay said at a press conference on Thursday. The total loss made by hospitals in 2013 stood at €66.6 million, which was €50 million lower than the loss posted in 2012.
Health Minister Zuzana Zvolenská stated that university and faculty hospitals may well post balanced budgets in 2015. “We don't make unrealistic commitments,” said Zvolenská. According to Ockay, the ministry isn't considering any moves to remove hospital debts. “We've managed to reduce the overall loss by €50 million, and we've also reduced the overall pace at which hospitals slide into debt. We have medium-term goals, which we are fulfilling,” said Očkay.
