Representatives of hospitals and outpatient clinics have concurred that the planned €500-million budget increase for the health-care system won't suffice next year and there will be a need for more money.
"We are calling on the Finance Ministry to increase the budget by one billion euros or more. Without this, the budget will be all about providing basic services and we will not achieve any development or improvement in healthcare," said head of the Association of Private Practitioners Marian Soth.
Meanwhile, head of the Slovak Hospital Association Marian Petko noted that without extra money, there won't be enough resources to carry out the planned optimisation of the hospital network.
According to Health Minister Michal Palkovic, his ministry is aware of the need for more money. "We'll draw a list of measures that are necessary in discussions on the 2024 budget," he noted, adding only then will the final amount be known.
Source: TASR
