Opposition MP Vladimíra Marcinková (SaS) plans to renew her efforts to legally guarantee the right of underage patients to be accompanied by an adult while receiving hospital care. At a press conference on Friday, Marcinková emphasized that a parent’s presence could shorten hospital stays, reduce the burden on medical staff, and lower the use of pain medication.
"A parent can feed the child, reposition them, and change their nappies—tasks that otherwise burden healthcare workers," she noted. She added that over 60,000 parents had signed a petition supporting this right.
Marcinková stressed that separating children from parents violates both international standards and Slovakia’s Constitution. She has repeatedly raised the issue, visiting the Health Ministry 14 times over the past four years. She welcomed the current Health Minister Kamil Sasko’s openness to discussion.
Similar legislation sponsored by Marcinková was rejected by Parliament last year.
Source: TASR
