Warnings over hospital services as doctors resign en masse

Almost 2,000 quit with more expected to hand in notice soon.

Peter Visolajský, chairman of the Medical Trade Unions Association with notices of hospital doctors.Peter Visolajský, chairman of the Medical Trade Unions Association with notices of hospital doctors. (Source: TASR)

Almost 2,000 doctors at Slovak hospitals resigned en masse today in protests over pay and conditions, with union leaders warning more will quit in the days ahead.

A total of 1,948 hospital doctors had resigned by Thursday afternoon, according to Peter Visolajský, chairman of the Medical Trade Unions Association (LOZ), adding that more colleagues would do the same during the rest of today and tomorrow.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The resignations involve doctors at 27 hospitals in Slovakia - including faculty, university, regional, and private facilities - working in fields including traumatology, cardiology, anaesthesiology, intensive care medicine, gynaecology, among others.

SkryťTurn off ads
Related article Nurses are finally offered a pay rise Read more 

Key departments

"Large hospitals in Bratislava are unable to function without these doctors," Visolajský said.

The mass resignations come amid demands for better pay and conditions in the health care system.

In February, the LOZ set out demands for a series of steps that needed to be taken to improve the functioning of the health care system, in particular the need to address hospital financing, reform of the health insurance system, and salary hikes for doctors and nurses.

A proposal to increase doctors' salaries is currently being discussed in parliament, but Visolajský said doctors had been left with no choice but to hand in their resignations and criticised the health minister, Vladimir Lengvarský (OĽaNO nominee).

Related article Ukrainians in health care denied work permits despite shortage Read more 

In 2011, a similar mass resignation of doctors when 1,200 resigned, led to a declaration of a state of emergency.

Top stories

The "Protest for Juraj and Matúš" photo became the Grand Prix winner at the 2023 Slovak Press Photo competition.

The Grand Prix prize awarded to a female photographer for the first time.


and 1 more 22. sep
Harvesting festivities in the town of Modra near Bratislava.

Autumn is the time to celebrate the grape harvest. Festivals for running...or a public transport for those not keen on running. Here's what to do during the weekend September 8-10.


8. sep
The Andrej Bagar Theatre in Nitra.

Legendary metal toy kit on exhibit again, or you can go pick pumpkins, gourds, and squash ahead of Halloween. Here's what to do during the weekend of September 23-24.


22. sep
SkryťClose ad