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.
#Speaker #Seimas #health #reform #sufficiently #explained #affect
**What are the main challenges currently facing Lithuania‘s healthcare reforms?**
**Interview with Aurelija Veryga, Former Minister of Health of Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Aurelija. Last week, the opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party urged a halt to the ongoing healthcare reform and called for a public review. What are your thoughts on this appeal?
**Aurelija Veryga:** Thank you for having me. The call from the Social Democratic Party reflects growing concerns among both healthcare professionals and the public regarding the reform’s execution. Their insistence on an evidence-based review is crucial. Without a thorough assessment, it’s challenging to ensure that the reforms are truly beneficial for the healthcare system.
**Interviewer:** The ruling conservatives have rejected the criticism, stating that no reform is without resistance and emphasizing the need for comprehensive communication from the Ministry. What impact do you think this has on public trust?
**Aurelija Veryga:** Communication is essential in any major systemic change. When reforms are perceived as being rushed or poorly explained, it leads to skepticism and distrust. I believe that if the Ministry provided clearer information and addressed the concerns of those directly affected, it might alleviate some of this resistance.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among managers and doctors associated with the ongoing reform. How do you see this situation?
**Aurelija Veryga:** Unfortunately, these resignations seem to correlate with the pressures and uncertainties introduced by the reform. When key personnel leave, it destabilizes the entire system. While the Speaker of the Seimas asked us not to conflate dissatisfaction with the reform with these resignations, it’s hard to ignore the context. It signals deeper issues within the healthcare environment that need to be addressed.
**Interviewer:** What do you think is the next step for the Ministry of Health in this context?
**Aurelija Veryga:** The Ministry must take decisive steps to engage with healthcare professionals and the public to clarify the reform’s goals and expected outcomes. Establishing a forum for dialog where feedback is genuinely considered can help bridge the gap and restore trust. The ultimate goal should always be to enhance patient care and ensure that the needs of healthcare providers are met.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Aurelija, for sharing your insights on this critical issue.
**Aurelija Veryga:** Thank you for having me. It’s essential for us to keep the conversation going about the future of healthcare in Lithuania.