Fourteen doctors at Žilina’s Hospital hand in notices in protest

Half of the doctors of the Internal Medicine Department at Žilina's Faculty Hospital and Policlinic handed in their notices on Monday in protest against what they deemed to be a decree to discharge patients solely on account of high associated expenses, according to the TASR press agency. The doctors think the measure jeopardises the health of patients. Hospital's spokesperson Mária Kliková denies such allegations: "This measure concerns the transfer of patients with non-acute conditions to other wards, mainly to the long-term care ward, while ensuring appropriate after-care in our facility. Not a single member of the hospital's senior management asked for anything but to abide by the decree from the Health Ministry. No patient has been released with the risk of their health being in jeopardy. Patients needn't worry. Health care continues - and will continue - to be provided", said Kliková.