Slovakia's healthcare system is teetering on the edge as more than 3,000 doctors have announced plans to resign on New Year's Eve. This mass walkout is a response to mounting frustrations over inadequate pay, poor working conditions, and what many see as government inaction.
Dr. Martin Zakucia, representing the Doctors' Trade Union, emphasized the need for better funding and comprehensive reforms. \"The basic problem is that we see the money in the healthcare system is divided wrongly or in a way we don't like,\" Zakucia stated. \"We would like the state to pay more money to hospitals so the hospitals can then deliver better health care.\"
The conflict stems from the government's failure to honor a 2022 13-point memorandum that promised higher wages, improved training, and enhanced hospital conditions. Healthcare economist Martin Smetana warned of dire consequences, saying, \"I really hope we won't come to this point because this will end when the first patient dies who didn't have to die. All the government, the ministry, and the unions need is to find a compromise. And they need to write up a new memorandum.\"
Public hospitals are struggling with severe staff shortages, exacerbated by nearly 20 percent of new medical graduates leaving Slovakia for better opportunities abroad. Although the government recently approved a 6.4 percent wage increase for nurses, doctors argue it falls short of the 9.7 percent raise promised in 2022.
\"They broke the deal. And we want the deal back,\" Zakucia asserted. \"We had the press conference with the president of the republic when it was signed, with all the important stakeholders in healthcare. Everyone said the law was good because it was stable.\"
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Crisis in Slovakian healthcare system as doctors plan mass resignation
cgtn.com
