The current situation in the health sector is so serious that it should be addressed by the government. This was stated by the head of the Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) Peter Visolajský after Monday's meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic. The ministry assured that Health Minister Vladimír Lengvarský is communicating with both Prime Minister Eduard Heger and Finance Minister Igor Matovič in this regard. One of the main topics of Monday's meeting was education in the health sector and the measures that the Ministry of Health plans to introduce. Peter Visolajský added that the ministry had asked the trade unionists to clarify some of their demands. He reiterated that the situation is serious and concrete steps are needed, not promises. The number of doctors' resignations will continue to increase, he said. The ministry added that it is looking for solutions, the effort to reach an agreement is on both sides, according to him. It continues to believe that there will be no real departure of doctors. Hundreds of millions of euros are missing from next year's draft health budget, according to analyst Martin Smatana. INESS analyst Martin Vlachynský also warned that the healthcare sector is facing a dramatic period. He expects that it will need to be emergency-financed. The head of INEKO, Dušan Zachar, explained that the healthcare sector needs record resources, while the published draft budget does not cover the costs. According to the draft state budget published on Monday by the Ministry of Finance, the total spending on health care is growing and corresponds to the possibilities of the economy. In 2023, they are expected to reach 7.6 billion euros, with a year-on-year growth of 1.24 billion euros (19.4 percent) compared to the approved 2022 budget.
Source: TASR
