"We are a country of fee-related absurdities," declared the Public Defender of Rights, who submitted a special report to the parliamentary registry regarding the illegal collection of fees in outpatient clinics and the functioning of the supervisory authority. According to the findings, the fundamental right to free healthcare may be being violated. Those who can least afford it are most at risk. The Health Ministry plans to present a solution in the fall.
The Public Defender of Rights, Róbert Dobrovodský explained that the increasing number of complaints refer to refusal of doctors to examine the patient who cannot pay a cash fee. He noted that many, out of fear of fees, have begun skipping preventive check-ups, for example, which should be covered by public health insurance. If this continues, then... “They will be afraid not of the procedure itself - it’s something else to fear a blood draw - but people are already afraid of the visit because it will hurt the family budget; because that single mother is worried about what she should feed her children next week - so she’d rather take the risk,” said Dobrovodský. Findings also showed that although higher-level administrative units try to monitor healthcare providers, they are unable to effectively respond to the collection of unauthorized fees.
According to the Public Defender of Rights, the state should provide resources for this activity; they could also conduct so-called mystery shopping, posing as patients.
The Health Ministry responds that it takes the Ombudsman’s report very seriously and views fees as a long-standing problem, according to spokesperson Veronika Daničová. “The Ministry, as in the case of drug policy, will collaborate with all relevant partners in the sector on a proposed solution,” she informed. Daničová added, the proposed solution will be presented in the fall and is expected to include strengthening the powers of higher territorial units and enforcement mechanisms. GPs have also long pointed out the lack of state funding, a situation that patients are forced to endure.
Source: STVR
