The Slovak Medical Chamber (SLK) on Thursday expressed its disapproval of Health Ministry-sponsored legislation introducing severe punishments, including imprisonment and loss of licences, for doctors who refuse to work during a state of emergency.
“SLK will carry out all necessary steps to prevent these changes from being approved by Parliament,” said SLK president Marian Kollar, adding that SLK will turn to the Constitutional Court and EU courts if necessary. According to SLK, it's unacceptable to replace dialogue with dictation and the arrogance of state power. Kollar also said that a ‘frustrated, traumatised and criminalised doctors will naturally tend to protect themselves, instead of putting patients' health first. The Health Ministry reacted by saying that this legislation will be in force only in states of war or emergency, which must be declared by the government.
