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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How can effective communication strategies help mitigate backlash during the implementation of major healthcare reforms?
**Interview with Dr. Ingrida Šimkūnaitė, Healthcare Policy Expert:**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Šimkūnaitė. Last week, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party urged officials to halt the current healthcare reform and called for a comprehensive review. What are your thoughts on their appeal?
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** Thank you for having me. The appeal raises valid concerns, especially regarding the need for transparency and evidence-based assessment in any major reform. It’s critical that all stakeholders, especially those affected—patients, medical staff, and healthcare managers—are involved in this discussion.
**Editor:** The ruling conservatives have dismissed these criticisms. What implications could this have for the reform process?
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** Ignoring the voices of the opposition and the concerns of healthcare professionals can create significant tension and may lead to further instability within the system. Reform is inherently contentious, and without open dialogue, it risks alienating key players.
**Editor:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that the ministry should have done a better job in preparing and communicating the changes. Do you think they underestimated the potential backlash?
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** It appears so. Significant systemic changes require robust communication strategies. If the ministry fails to provide adequate information beforehand, it can lead to misunderstandings and dissatisfaction, as we’ve unfortunately begun to see with recent resignations.
**Editor:** There have been reports of resignations within healthcare institutions, with some linking it to the reform. What do you think is driving this trend?
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** Resignations can stem from various factors, including discontent with the direction of the reforms, increased pressure on staff, or lack of clarity about job roles and expectations. However, it’s essential to analyze these situations individually before attributing them directly to the reform.
**Editor:** The Speaker mentioned the need for answers and information. How crucial is this for the future of healthcare reforms in Lithuania?
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** Greatly crucial. The success of any reform lies in its acceptance by those it impacts. If the ministry can establish clear channels of communication, address concerns transparently, and involve healthcare professionals in the process, it could foster a more collaborative atmosphere that supports the necessary changes.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Šimkūnaitė, for your insights. This is certainly a critical time for Lithuanian healthcare reform.
**Dr. Šimkūnaitė:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for productive discussions moving forward.
