Viliam Novotný, from the opposition Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKÚ) and head of parliament's healthcare committee slammed Prime Minister Robert Fico's inspection at the Health Ministry as “election marketing, as though actual problems didn't exist,” TASR was told on February 23.
Novotný pointed to the government’s manifesto, which, he claimed, includes promises not kept. He said nothing has been done to support health care funding via multiple sources and in the area of annual health-care insurance payment declarations.
“The Health Ministry hasn't had any success in meeting the goals of health-care policy. Unfavourable developments in people's health are attested to by international comparisons that show Slovakia slumping all the way to the bottom,” said Novotný. He also warned that the healthcare sector is losing its solidarity, as direct payments to healthcare have gone up by 75 percent in three years, which hits the most vulnerable groups of people the hardest.
“Trade unionists are pointing to the un-kept promise of appropriate improvements in the remuneration of healthcare professionals,” added Novotný.
Fico, speaking after his personal inspection at the Health Ministry on Tuesday, February 23, said that the ministry has accomplished all the tasks that it was expected to carry out. He pointed out that as a result of the government's measures, VAT on medicines has been cut, health-insurance companies are forbidden from making profits, and health care at spas is more readily available. TASR
Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
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