26.12.2024.
Slovakia’s parliament has approved a law early December aimed at addressing potential disruptions in the healthcare system by requiring doctors to remain in their positions during emergencies.
- The legislation includes provisions to prevent resignations and impose penalties for noncompliance, which could include imprisonment.
- The law was introduced to counter the risk of a healthcare system collapse after more than 3,000 hospital doctors threatened to resign at the start of the new year.
The doctors cited issues such as low wages, understaffing, and ongoing workforce challenges as reasons for their planned departures.
Under the new legislation, the government can declare a state of emergency if healthcare services are at risk of becoming unavailable.
During such an emergency, doctors would be required to continue working, and resignation notices would not be accepted.
The emergency provisions are temporary, lasting for up to 120 days, and noncompliance could result in imprisonment.
Health Minister Kamil Šaško stated during the parliamentary debate that he hopes the emergency powers will not need to be used.
However, labor unions representing doctors have expressed strong opposition, emphasizing that the law bypasses negotiations and disregards their concerns.
The legislation also follows adjustments to a 2022 agreement that had promised gradual salary increases for doctors over two years.
The cuts were part of austerity measures designed to address Slovakia’s rising budget deficit. Medical professionals have voiced frustration, claiming the changes were made without sufficient consultation.
The law has drawn attention to the ongoing challenges in Slovakia’s healthcare sector, as efforts to balance service availability with financial constraints and workforce satisfaction continue.
SOURCE
EURONEWS
