The Health Ministry is launching a new reform of hospitals, the outpatient sector and the manner in which health-insurance companies earn their profits, Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky announced on Tuesday, adding that the draft is yet to undergo inter-departmental review.
Health Ministry State Secretary Jana Jezikova pointed out that Slovakia has a very low number of general practitioners per capita. According to her, there is currently a shortage of 314 general practitioners for adults and 137 paediatricians. The high average age of doctors is also a problem. "The ministry will offer financial support for the launch of new outpatient departments for young doctors, which they will draw on gradually throughout the year," said Jezikova. A total of €10 million from the recovery plan has been set aside for this purpose.
The new law should also regulate the profits of health insurance companies, with the proposal defining a minimum percentage of premiums collected that insurance companies must use for health care.
