Minister of Health Kamil Šaško discussed with representatives of the Association of Employers Associations and Associations of the Slovak Republic (AZZZ SR), discussed health challenges and the need for comprehensive solutions that will strengthen the stability of the whole sector.
The Health Minister Kamil Šaško confirmed at the meeting that health is a sector that affects the daily lives of all citizens. I believe that system changes need to be started immediately. It is not possible to focus on just one area, but it is necessary to address health as a complex ecosystem," he said. The minister also announced that from next week, a series of negotiations in the Slovak regions in each of the Slovak regions will begin, where a specific plan of changes will be presented to health organisations. The plan also wants to focus on the sectoral tripartite to ensure uniform and effective implementation across the whole sector.
First Vice-President Roman Karlubík stressed that AZZZ SR represents more than 30 000 employees in the health sector, which represents about half of the sector. In the current consolidation period, the holes that have been created must first be packed. We have declared to the minister that we are ready to give our full support and we want to be co-creators of the budget, and Carlubík said. Furthermore, it wants healthcare professionals' pay issues to be addressed systematically and to avoid a crisis chain reaction that could negatively affect patients. He also appreciated the Minister's open approach to this debate.
Igor Pramuk, vice-president of AZZZ SR, pointed to the lack of financial resources in Slovak health and the need to increase the budget. Today's debate was about constructive dialogue with the Minister for Health. We agreed on the need to address budget issues, adjustment of transaction tax and VAT, and Pramuk added. The Ministry of Health of the Slovak Republic, together with AZZZ SR, plans to continue the dialogue and develop common system measures that will be the basis for improving health care and working conditions in this important sector.
