Today, the government of the Slovak Republic approved a comprehensive increase in salaries in institutional health care and ambulance health services. This is the most comprehensive and highest salary increase since 2013. The approval was preceded by months of negotiations with all relevant parties.
We see the current assessment of our health professionals as a complex problem, so we also need to address it as a whole. The increase thus applies to all health professions. It is of utmost importance for health care to avoid feelings of injustice between occupations, declared Vladimir Lengvarsky.
Months of negotiations with all relevant stakeholders were preceded by a proposal for enhanced evaluation: trade unions, chambers, professional organisations and associations and other organisations. The Ministry notes that the increase in health pay is not over in 2023 and will continue in the coming years. I am pleased that the increase has been approved by the government. There are no simple months ahead. Inflation, energy prices, the impending recession is affecting both the state and the private sector. Nevertheless, we reached an agreement with the government on a fairer assessment and certainty for our health professionals, the Minister for Health continues. The Resort plans to approve the government proposal in Parliament through an accelerated legislative procedure. Once approved by Parliament, the salary assessment of Slovak health professionals will thus become competitive within the V4 countries. The salary will increase by 279 euros gross to the beginner without specialization and practice. Doctors with specialization and experience for twenty years or more will be paid over 3 000 euros without extras.
According to the Department, the complex increase in health pay is only one of many steps to remedy health problems. In addition to ensuring a fair assessment for their colleagues, the Ministry has submitted and is working on other systemic changes that will help to improve the state of play, for example on a fair system of funding for individual health operations, health insurance reform, or on investments from the recovery plan to health institutions.