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 key concerns raised by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the current healthcare reform in Lithuania?
**Interview with Dr. Alena Žukauskienė, Healthcare Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Žukauskienė. We’ve seen significant developments in Lithuania’s healthcare reform recently, particularly with the opposition urging a halt to the reform for a comprehensive review. Can you elaborate on the concerns raised by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the healthcare network reform?
**Dr. Žukauskienė:** Thank you for having me. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s appeal highlights major concerns about the rapid implementation of the healthcare reform without adequate public engagement or evidence-based analysis. They argue that such systemic changes necessitate a thorough evaluation process that gets feedback from healthcare professionals and the community. Their call for a detailed and public review suggests that they believe the current approach may lead to unintended negative consequences for the healthcare system.
**Interviewer:** The ruling conservatives have rejected these criticisms, stating that resistance is common in major reforms. What do you think about the Speaker of the Seimas’ comments regarding the ministry’s preparedness and communication?
**Dr. Žukauskienė:** The Speaker’s comments are quite insightful. She acknowledges that major systemic changes require robust communication strategies to ensure that all stakeholders understand the reform’s rationale and implications. It seems there might have been a lag in disseminating this information effectively. By suggesting that it gives the impression of a lack of thorough preparation, she invites us to think critically about whether the reform’s implementation might be outpacing its foundational framework.
**Interviewer:** There have also been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors linked to these reforms. What impact could this have on the healthcare system?
**Dr. Žukauskienė:** Resignations among key personnel can significantly disrupt healthcare delivery. If experienced professionals leave, it can lead to shortages and reduced quality of care, resulting in longer wait times and diminished patient trust in the system. Aurelijs Veryga’s comments suggest a direct correlation between the reform process and these resignations, indicating that dissatisfaction may stem from both the changes being implemented and how they are being managed.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker urged for clarity regarding these issues. Do you think better communication could alleviate some of the tensions surrounding the reform?
**Dr. Žukauskienė:** Absolutely. Open lines of communication could bridge the gap between the government, healthcare providers, and the public. If stakeholders feel heard and their concerns are addressed transparently, it can reduce resistance to necessary changes. It’s crucial that the Ministry of Health actively engages with the communityit serves to foster a collaborative environment, especially during such critical reforms.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Žukauskienė, for your valuable insights on this pressing issue. It’s clear that thoughtful dialog will be essential in navigating the future of Lithuania’s healthcare system.
**Dr. Žukauskienė:** Thank you for having me. It’s a vital topic, and I hope for productive discussions moving forward.
