Medical facilities are being combated with staff shortages, lack of interns, anesthesiologists and other specialists. Nurses are also lacking, and ambulances are needed. The Ministry invites all those meeting the professional requirements to sign up for assistance. It has also prepared changes that will allow better use of medications. A work obligation regulation is always the last solution when healthcare cannot otherwise be provided.
Medical facilities currently need doctors of various specialties. Hospitals report a lack of specialists in the field of anesthesiology and intensive medicine and others. There is also a shortage of nurses and vacancies are for ambulances.
The currently published positions that hospitals need to fill are in most locations of Slovakia (list here https://www.coidinhospitals.sk/strengthen-time-in-hospitals/). The list shall indicate the necessary positions and contact to a particular healthcare institution. The personal requirements are provided by healthcare providers. There are vacancies in hospitals both under national and private jurisdiction. The staff situation in health care institutions is also changing in view of the fact that part of healthcare professionals are already returning once the disease has been overcome. In the next period, vaccination against COVID-19, which was first provided to the most vulnerable healthcare professionals, should also make a significant contribution to the improvement.
Medicine can also help in the present difficult situation. Experts at the Ministry of Health prepared a change in the organisation of the summer semester in the current academic year. The proposed amendment includes transfer of mandatory summer practice from July and August to the beginning of the summer semester. At the beginning of the summer semester of students 6th, 5th, 4th year of the doctoral study programme, general medicine as well as students 2nd and 3rd year of the daily form of the bachelor's study programme, students 2nd and 3rd year of the bachelor's study program in the field of midwifery, students 3rd year of the bachelor's study programme in the field of study urgent medical care to the university, specialized teaching equipment and special purpose equipment of the university.
In view of the very serious situation in our hospitals, as the numbers of patients with COVID-19 are constantly growing, we approved yesterday at the government for medical students, nursing and emergency health care the possibility to carry out their summer practice in hospitals and ambulances already now. Summer practice normally lasts 4 weeks, which is at this time a rich help to our exhausted staff. At the same time, end-year students will be able to complete their studies and participate as soon as possible in the fight against a pandemic as a health professional. I welcome the fact that most of them, as a priori group, are already properly vaccinated at the moment, that is, ready to face the front line with our invisible enemy, explained Minister of Health of the SR Marek Krajčí.
Hospitals may request the district authorities to impose a duty on doctors and nurses from the outpatient sphere or overnight health care facilities. However, this option is the ultimate solution. There is also a project of the Ministry of Health Health Health in advance (http://www.covicv hospital.sk/personal-v-back/), where hospitals can report medical professionals. They can then help in another hospital that needs help.
Health professionals currently working abroad can also give a hand. The Ministry of Health also calls on doctors operating in ambulances to ease urgent hospital incomes for the good management of their patients. The work of general practitioners who should take care of their patients is also a significant help. This can often prevent worsening of the patient's condition and avert the need for hospitalisation.
People with COVID-19 should be advised to contact their doctor and to consult and avoid any complications.