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 potential consequences of inadequate communication during healthcare reforms, according to Dr. Jurgita?
**Interview with Dr. Rita Jurgita, Health Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Jurgita. The recent appeal from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party to halt the healthcare network reform has sparked considerable debate. What are your thoughts on their request for a detailed public review?
**Dr. Jurgita:** Thank you for having me. The Social Democrats are emphasizing the necessity of transparency and evidence-based assessment when it comes to healthcare reforms. Given the importance of these changes, it’s crucial that all stakeholders, especially the public and health professionals, are adequately informed and consulted throughout the process.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that systemic changes are never met without resistance and highlighted a need for better communication from the Ministry. How important is communication in implementing such reforms?
**Dr. Jurgita:** Communication is absolutely vital. When significant reforms like this are introduced, the public and the professionals directly impacted need to understand the ‘why’ and ‘how’ behind the changes. If the ministry hasn’t effectively conveyed its rationale or addressed the concerns of stakeholders, it risks alienating those who are crucial to the success of the reform.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors, with some attributing this to the reforms. Do you believe these resignations are directly linked to the changes being proposed?
**Dr. Jurgita:** It’s certainly plausible that the unrest and dissatisfaction related to the reforms could be contributing factors. However, as Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen pointed out, we shouldn’t speculate without data. Until we have more information about the reasons behind those resignations, it’s risky to draw direct correlations. The ministry needs to investigate these cases to understand the larger picture.
**Interviewer:** What should the government do moving forward to alleviate concerns regarding the reform and regain trust among healthcare professionals?
**Dr. Jurgita:** I believe the government must prioritize open dialogue and stakeholder engagement. This means holding public consultations, providing forums for feedback, and most importantly, genuinely considering the input received. Moreover, conducting a thorough evidence-based assessment of the reform proposals before implementation would not only foster trust but could also lead to better-informed policy decisions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Jurgita, for your insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that communication and stakeholder engagement will be pivotal in the success of healthcare reforms in Lithuania.
**Dr. Jurgita:** Thank you for having me; I hope we can continue to advocate for a healthcare system that works for everyone involved.