K. Šaško: Slovakia has the potential to deliver world-class health innovations

Slovakia has scientists, doctors and technology companies capable of delivering solutions that can change the way healthcare is provided not only at home but also in the world. Minister of Health of SR Kamil Šaško mentioned this at the international cardiology conference OMICON 2026 in Bratislava. At the same time, he announced that the Slovak project of Powerful Medical, aimed at diagnosing cardiovascular diseases through artificial intelligence, will receive support of EUR 19 million from the Programme of Slovakia for further research and development.
I am convinced that Slovakia should not be just a country that buys and uses modern health technologies. We have the ambition to be a country where such solutions arise. We have top doctors, scientists, innovators and technology companies. The role of the state is to create the conditions for them to develop their ideas at home and to benefit our patients in particular, said Minister of Health Kamil Šaško.
Minutes Decide in Heart attacks
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most serious health problems of the Slovak population. Modern medicine can effectively treat a patient with an acute heart attack, but the condition is that doctors recognise it early and correctly and that the patient gets to the workplace as quickly as possible, which can provide the necessary treatment. This is where the Health Minister sees the space for new technologies.
The artificial intelligence should not replace the doctor. It is designed to help him see more, to make more decisions on the basis of more information, and to avoid losing time in critical situations to decide on a person's life. The final clinical decision must always remain in the hands of the paramedic, underlined the Minister.
According to him, Slovakia already proves that it can be not only a user but also a creator of high-tech medical technologies. An example is the Slovak PMcardio solution, which evaluates the ECG using artificial intelligence and supports the diagnosis of more than 40 cardiovascular diagnoses and findings. According to published international studies, acute heart attacks have significantly higher sensitivity than normal electrocardiographic criteria.
Support from the Programme Slovakia
The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic decided to support further research and development in this area by the amount of 19 million Euro from the Programme Slovakia. Support goes to the ongoing research and development of technology, which was created in Slovakia.

It's not an investment in technology. It is an investment in Slovak research, in people who can translate knowledge into real solutions and, above all, in modern and better health care. We want the innovations that arise in Slovakia to remain in Slovakia, to reach our hospitals and to our health care professionals, and to succeed in the world, Kamil Shaško stressed.
According to the Minister, this decision does not support one company, but Slovak research, Slovak know-how and the people who create it. If there is a top innovation in Slovakia with the potential to succeed in the world, the state is supposed to create the conditions to grow here. In addition to know-how, highly qualified jobs are created in Slovakia and the country's scientific and research credibility is strengthened.
Conference OMICON 2026 connected the world cardiology in Bratislava
OMICON 2026 brought together experts in the field of cardiology, medicine, research and technological innovation in Bratislava, including representatives of European and American cardiology. One of the main topics was the use of artificial intelligence and modern digital tools in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, whose early recognition may significantly influence the further course of patient treatment.
According to the Minister, modernization of Slovak health must be built not only on investments in buildings and medical equipment, but also on new methods of diagnostics, data processing and the use of artificial intelligence. The introduction of any new technology must be based on scientific evidence, safety and a clear benefit for the patient.
When Slovak doctors, scientists, and innovators can create solutions that take the world into account, our answer cannot be that we wish them good luck abroad. Our answer must be to create conditions so that they can grow and succeed from Slovakia. This is exactly the kind of health I want to support: modern, self-confident and open to innovation, but always with the patient in the first place. Closed by Minister of Health Kamil Šaško.
Link to the entire TK with cardiology experts:https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1e7y1gRezv/