Slovak hospitals may soon be forced into bankruptcy. A law passed this year stopping cash-strapped hospitals being stripped of equipment and beds by angry creditors will run out in January next year and doctors are worried what will happen.
Just days ago creditors filed bankruptcy against the state medical insurance firm VšZP and soon people will not be able to get vital medicine and hospital treatment if they are insured by the company, say doctors.
Hospitals in Slovakia are more than Sk20 billion ($400 million) in debt and some have had water, heating and food supplies cut. Some politicians have said the only way to solve the situation is to scrap the free medicines many citizens get.
"Our health care system is stuck in socialism," said Rudolf Zajac of the Ano party.
Compiled by Spectator staff from press reports
