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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How can the Ministry of Health improve stakeholder engagement and communication during the reform process?
**Interview with Dr. Rūta Šuminas, Health Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Šuminas. Recently, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has called for a halt to the healthcare reform, urging for a more in-depth, evidence-based review. What are your thoughts on these criticisms?
**Dr. Šuminas:** Thank you for having me. The criticisms raised by the Social Democratic Party highlight essential concerns regarding public involvement and transparency in the reform process. In any significant systemic change, it’s crucial to engage stakeholders—healthcare professionals, patients, and the broader public. A comprehensive review could help in understanding the implications of these changes more fully.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that the Ministry should have better prepared for these changes with stronger arguments and clearer information. Do you think this sudden reform has been poorly communicated?
**Dr. Šuminas:** Absolutely. The perception that the reform is being rushed without sufficient information leads to resistance. When stakeholders feel unprepared or uninformed, it can lead to dissatisfaction and distrust. The ministry must prioritize clear communication and education about the changes to mitigate confusion and facilitate smoother implementation.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors, with some attributing this to the ongoing reforms. How do you interpret this situation?
**Dr. Šuminas:** It suggests that these reforms may be causing significant distress within the healthcare system. Resignations could signify that professionals feel unsupported or overwhelmed by the changes. This could also be a protest against the way reforms are being handled. However, it is important not to conflate these resignations directly with the reform itself without a comprehensive understanding of the underlying motivators.
**Interviewer:** The current ruling party has rejected the opposition’s criticisms. What impact could this have on the healthcare system moving forward?
**Dr. Šuminas:** If the ruling party remains dismissive of opposition concerns, it risks deepening divisions within the healthcare community and potentially stalling the progress that the reforms aim to achieve. Constructive dialog is essential for any reform’s success. Ignoring dissent could lead to broader discontent across the healthcare landscape, which might ultimately undermine the reforms’ intended objectives.
**Interviewer:** What do you think should be the next steps for the Ministry of Health to address these issues?
**Dr. Šuminas:** The Ministry needs to take immediate steps to foster open dialog with all stakeholders. This includes holding public forums and consultations to gather input and share information about the reforms. Additionally, they should consider pausing the most contentious aspects of the reform until a comprehensive review can be conducted to ensure that changes are beneficial and sustainable for the healthcare system as a whole.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Šuminas, for sharing your insights on this pressing issue.
**Dr. Šuminas:** Thank you for having me! It’s an important conversation to have as we look to improve healthcare in Lithuania.
