The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party appealed to the country’s officials last week, urging them to stop the reform of the healthcare network and to start a detailed and public review of it, to carry out an evidence-based assessment. The ruling conservatives rejected the criticism.
“Not a single reform passes without resistance, this is a major systemic change and, apparently, the ministry must prepare for such a change, first of all, by its arguments, by providing information, above all to those who will be affected by that reform,” the Speaker of the Seimas told LRT on Wednesday. “It gives the impression that it was not fully done and it is being explained when it has already been started, perhaps a little late.”
“I can’t answer why this happened, the ministry should be asked here, but obviously answers are needed, information is needed,” she added.
Recently, there have been reports of resignations of managers and doctors in different health care institutions. Former Minister of Health Aurelijs Veryga linked some of these cases to the ongoing reform.
V. Čmilytė-Nielsen, for her part, urged not to confuse these situations.
“The fact that there are questions, there is dissatisfaction with the changes, this is apparently natural. It really shouldn’t be confused with those individual cases, sometimes dictated by the political conjuncture, when, say, the management leaves or a group of doctors leave one or another hospital. Those things are not necessarily related, and usually they are not,” she said.
The health care reform was approved by the Seimas last year, after its implementation it is promised to provide more outpatient services at the place of residence of patients and reduce hospitalization.
New formations will be created in municipalities – health centers that would take care of public health, provide ambulatory health care services, emergency medical assistance, day services, inpatient services for internal diseases, and engage in long-term care.
However, part of the municipalities and the medical institutions themselves claim that the restructuring does not take into account the expansion of the network of medical institutions carried out so far, and as a result services will decrease in some regions.
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What are the main concerns healthcare professionals have regarding the recent reforms in Lithuania?
**Interview with Aurelijs Veryga, Former Minister of Health of Lithuania**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Aurelijs. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has recently called for a halt to the healthcare reform, urging for a detailed review process. What is your perspective on their appeal?
**Veryga:** Thank you for having me. I believe their concerns highlight a significant issue within the ministry’s communication strategy. It’s crucial that reforms are grounded in evidence and that the public—and especially those directly affected—are adequately informed and consulted. Many in the healthcare system are feeling immediate impacts from the changes without clear understanding or preparation.
**Editor:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that not a single reform passes without resistance. Given your experience, can you elaborate on why this particular reform seems to be stirring up such significant pushback?
**Veryga:** Reforms in healthcare are inherently complex and affect many stakeholders, from patients to healthcare providers. In this case, there seems to be a lack of clarity about the goals of the reform and its implementation. When managers and doctors start resigning, as we’ve seen recently, it’s often a sign that many are either unhappy or uncertain about the future. This tells us that the reform may not have been communicated effectively.
**Editor:** That’s an interesting point. The current government has rejected the criticisms and maintains that the necessary preparations are underway. Do you believe they are equipped to manage such a significant change?
**Veryga:** It’s important for them to provide robust and transparent communication. While they may have good intentions, reforms of this scale require not just policy changes but also a solid informational framework. The ministry must demonstrate its capacity to support healthcare workers and the public through this transition. Otherwise, resistance will likely continue.
**Editor:** Could these resignations among healthcare professionals be directly related to the ongoing reforms, as you’ve mentioned?
**Veryga:** Yes, I believe there is a connection. Although each case can be individual and nuanced, the overall climate of uncertainty surrounding the reform creates a challenging environment for staff. If people feel their voices are not being heard or that their jobs might be at risk due to systemic changes, it can lead to valuable professionals leaving the field.
**Editor:** V. Čmilytė-Nielsen mentioned that dissatisfaction should not be construed as a simple refusal of change. How can the government effectively address this dissatisfaction while moving forward?
**Veryga:** It boils down to listening and engaging in a dialogue with all stakeholders. The government needs to listen to the concerns raised by healthcare professionals and the public and be willing to adapt if necessary. Building trust through transparency and showing a commitment to evidence-based decision-making can help mitigate resistance and foster a collaborative atmosphere.
**Editor:** Thank you, Aurelijs, for sharing your insights. It seems that navigating these reforms will require not just policy changes but effective communication and engagement from the government.
**Veryga:** Absolutely. Thank you for having me.