The Ministry of Health has prepared an effective legislative instrument to increase the availability of healthcare. Amendment to the Health Care Providers and Healthcare Professionals Act (No 578/2004) Z.z.) focuses on specific cases, for example at a time of pandemic, where demand for health workers is increasing significantly. The amendment was approved by the Government of the Slovak Republic at the meeting today. We are responding operationally to the current epidemiological situation, which shows us that medical expertise is needed. We are therefore proposing to extend the definition of healthcare professional. This applies to students enrolled in full-time courses in general medicine, nursing and emergency health care, informs Minister for Health Marek Krajčí. Students in these fields will be able to collect biological material to detect viral respiratory disease, thus significantly strengthening the capacity of healthcare professionals at the collection sites. The condition is that students of general medicine already have completed studies of at least eight semesters, nursing students and emergency health care at least two semesters. However, students will always work under the supervision of health workers - doctors, paramedics, nurses, or practical nurses. At the same time, students of general medicine and nursing will also be able to provide health care, but only taking into account their theoretical and practical experience so far, which they have acquired during the study; for example, students of medical faculties studying general medicine must have completed at least ten semesters. They will always be supervised by a doctor.This amendment to the law responds to the current situation in order to ensure that citizens are provided with healthcare even in the event of negative developments in the epidemiological situation with regard to COVID-19. We have prepared the legislation on the basis of the experience of previous months, which has shown that crisis situations also require a flexible workforce in healthcare provision, completed Minister for Health Marek Krajčí. The benefit of this proposal is also to promote the exchange of professional experience in health practice when students gain new knowledge directly among experienced health professionals. Given that the epidemiological situation requires 100%

the readiness of all the elements, the Ministry of Health proposes the adoption of this legislation in a shortened legislative procedure.