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 does the government plan to ensure ongoing public engagement and transparency throughout the healthcare reform process?
**Interview with V. Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas on Healthcare Reform in Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen. The recent appeal from the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party asks for a halt to the healthcare reform and calls for a detailed review. What is your response to this appeal?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to note that significant reforms often meet with resistance, and healthcare is a critical area that requires careful consideration. We believe that the proposed reform is necessary for systemic change and it’s part of our responsibility to ensure that the changes truly benefit the population.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that the ministry needs to provide more information to those affected by the reform. Can you elaborate on what specific information is lacking?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Certainly. Stakeholders, including medical professionals and the public, need clear communication regarding the reasons for the reform, the expected outcomes, and how it will impact them. It appears that there has been a communication gap, and addressing this is crucial for alleviating concerns and misunderstandings.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors that some attribute to the ongoing reform. What are your thoughts on this?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** It’s concerning to hear about resignations, and while they may be linked to the reform process, I urge everyone not to conflate these situations too readily. Change can be challenging, and it’s essential to seek a comprehensive understanding of each case before linking them directly to the reform.
**Interviewer:** The former Minister of Health, Aurelijs Veryga, has expressed that the reform could have prompted some resignations. Do you believe that the government should reassess how it is implementing this reform in light of these concerns?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Reassessing our implementation strategies is always a prudent approach when faced with significant feedback. However, it’s also important to maintain the course of reform that aims to improve healthcare systems in the long run. We must find a balance between addressing immediate concerns and pursuing necessary changes.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what steps do you think the government should take to improve communication and build trust around this reform?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Open dialogues are vital. The government should organize forums, public meetings, and provide detailed reports on what is being proposed and why. Engaging healthcare professionals, patients, and the community in the conversation will help foster understanding and trust in the process.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops in Lithuania’s healthcare sector.
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Thank you for having me. It’s imperative that we continue the conversation and work together for the betterment of our healthcare system.