The number of beds for chronically ill patients is declining, even though the number of people who will need them is expected to increase significantly, according to demographers. Data from the National Health Information Centre (NCZI) also show differences between individual regions.
According to the chairman of the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ), the number of beds in long-term care wards is decreasing.
“Despite becoming increasingly necessary, these beds are disappearing across Slovakia, particularly in state-run hospitals. However, we are already seeing efforts by financial groups to make money from these beds,” said LOZ chairman Peter Visolajský. For comparison, we looked at the number of beds in the western and eastern parts of the country. According to data from the National Health Information Centre (NCZI), there were 181 beds in the Bratislava Region in 2020. By 2024, there were only 119. That represents a decrease of 62 beds. In the Košice Region, there were 417 beds in 2020 and 439 in 2024. In the east, the number increased by 22.
“In 2024, 12.7 percent of the total hospital bed capacity was designated for long-term hospital care. Inpatient care facilities had 2,061 beds for chronically ill patients, which is 25 fewer than the previous year,” explained Simona Uhlárová, an NCZI communications specialist. According to a demographer, the number of people who will need long-term care is expected to rise sharply.
“Our country is not systematically prepared for this. There are no strategies being developed to address the fact that, yes, we should be aware that in 20 to 30 years we will need many more of these beds,” said demographer Branislav Bleha.
At the same time, the demographic structure of the population will also change, with the number of older people without children increasing, leaving more of them dependent on these beds.
“In the Bratislava Region, these beds were reduced by a decision of the Minister of Health, and Podunajské Biskupice Hospital, which was specifically designed and well suited for this purpose, was effectively closed,” said Visolajský.
He claims that the ward did not provide patients with round-the-clock medical care.
“In cases of complications, for example—which can happen and do happen regularly—patients would ultimately be transferred either to Petržalka or Ružinov anyway,” said Health Minister Kamil Šaško (Hlas-SD).
According to demographic projections, the number of older people in Slovakia will continue to grow. The healthcare system therefore needs to address whether it will have enough beds, staff, and follow-up care for these patients.
Source: STVR
