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, maybe 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 to reduce hospitalization.
New entities 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 development 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 raised by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the healthcare network reform?
**Interview with Dr. Lina Saulyte, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Saulyte. There’s been quite a stir regarding the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s appeal to halt the healthcare network reform. Can you give us an overview of what this appeal entails?
**Dr. Saulyte**: Thank you for having me. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party is expressing concerns over the current healthcare reform, emphasizing the need for a thorough and public review of the proposed changes. They are advocating for evidence-based assessments to ensure that the reforms genuinely improve the healthcare system rather than causing disruption.
**Interviewer**: The ruling conservative government has rejected these criticisms. What do you think are the key points of contention between the opposition and the government?
**Dr. Saulyte**: The key points of contention revolve around the management and communication of the reform process. The Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, acknowledged that significant reforms often face resistance, but she pointed out that the ministry needs to provide clear justifications and information to the public and those affected. The government’s stance suggests confidence that the changes will ultimately benefit the system, despite the opposition’s calls for more transparency and engagement.
**Interviewer**: We’ve seen reports of resignations among managers and doctors in several healthcare institutions, and former Minister Aurelijs Veryga has linked these resignations to the reform. What impact do these resignations have on the ongoing changes?
**Dr. Saulyte**: Resignations can create instability within healthcare facilities, potentially affecting the quality of care and the implementation of reforms. If key personnel are leaving, it raises questions about the support for the reform at various levels. However, it’s crucial not to conflate the dissatisfaction stemming from restructuring with the individuals’ decisions to resign. Each case may have different motivators.
**Interviewer**: how critical is effective communication from the government and the health ministry during such major systemic changes?
**Dr. Saulyte**: Effective communication is absolutely vital. Clear, transparent communication helps build trust and mitigates resistance. Without it, there can be misunderstandings and increased anxiety among healthcare workers and the public, complicating the reform process. As mentioned by the Speaker, it’s essential that the ministry provides timely and thorough explanations for the changes to foster a more informed dialogue on healthcare reform.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Saulyte, for your insights on this important issue. We look forward to seeing how this situation develops.
**Dr. Saulyte**: Thank you for having me. It’s an important time for Lithuania‘s healthcare, and I hope for constructive discussions ahead.
