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 ambulatory 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 potential consequences of insufficient communication during healthcare reforms, as mentioned by Dr. Karpavičienė?
**Interview with Dr. Rasa Karpavičienė, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Karpavičienė. Let’s start with the recent appeals by the opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the ongoing healthcare reform. What are your thoughts on their call for a detailed and public review of this reform?
**Dr. Karpavičienė:** Thank you for having me. The call for a detailed review is quite significant, especially when we consider that healthcare reforms can directly impact citizens’ lives. Evidence-based assessments are crucial in ensuring that reforms meet their intended goals and that stakeholders—especially those directly affected—are adequately informed and engaged in the process.
**Editor:** The Speaker of the Seimas indicated that there might have been a lack of communication regarding the reform. Do you think this has contributed to the recent dissatisfaction among healthcare workers and administrators?
**Dr. Karpavičienė:** Absolutely. Effective communication is key during any systemic change in healthcare. If stakeholders, including healthcare workers, feel left out of the conversation or unclear about the goals and processes of the reform, it can lead to uncertainty and indeed, dissatisfaction.
**Editor:** We’ve now seen reports of resignations among managers and doctors in various healthcare institutions, which former Minister Aurelijs Veryga has linked to the reform. What does this signify for the stability of the healthcare sector?
**Dr. Karpavičienė:** Resignations can destabilize any organization, particularly in healthcare where continuity of care is vital. If the reform is causing distress among professionals, it could result in staff shortages, potentially impacting patient care. It’s important for the government to address these concerns quickly to prevent further erosion of confidence within the system.
**Editor:** You mentioned that the government should quickly address these concerns. What steps should they take to rebuild trust among healthcare professionals and the public?
**Dr. Karpavičienė:** First, transparency is critical. The government should provide clear information about the reforms, including their objectives and expected outcomes. Engaging healthcare professionals in the discussion is also vital—this could involve consultations or establishing advisory panels. Lastly, following up on feedback and making adjustments based on that input can go a long way in rebuilding trust.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Karpavičienė. It seems there is a critical need for dialogue and collaboration moving forward.
**Dr. Karpavičienė:** Thank you for having me. I hope to see positive changes that truly benefit our healthcare system.
