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 impacts of the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party’s call for a halt to healthcare reforms on public health outcomes and system efficiency?
**Interview with Dr. Laura Šuminas: Healthcare Expert and Policy Analyst**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Šuminas. Recently, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party called for a halt to the current healthcare reform, expressing concerns over its execution and the need for a detailed review. What are your thoughts on this appeal?
**Dr. Šuminas**: Thank you for having me. The opposition’s call for a pause in the healthcare reform process underscores the importance of transparency and public engagement in such significant changes. Any major reform, particularly in healthcare, profoundly impacts the lives of citizens and the professionals within the system. A thorough review is crucial to ensure that the proposed changes are evidence-based and truly meet the needs of the population.
**Interviewer**: The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that systemic changes often face resistance and emphasized the need for the health ministry to adequately prepare and communicate these reforms. How do you view the government’s response to the criticism?
**Dr. Šuminas**: Resistance to reform is not uncommon, especially when it involves systemic changes. The government’s response highlights a need for clear communication and strong arguments to justify the reform to those it affects. The concern here is whether the ministry has provided sufficient information and reassurances to both healthcare professionals and patients. If stakeholders feel uninformed or unsupported, it can lead to dissatisfaction and increased tensions.
**Interviewer**: There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors, which some attribute to the ongoing reforms. How do you interpret this situation?
**Dr. Šuminas**: The resignations are indeed alarming and suggest that there is significant unease within the healthcare community. While it’s essential to be cautious in linking these resignations directly to the reform, they indicate underlying issues—possibly related to trust, morale, or management concerns. It’s essential for the ministry to engage openly with healthcare workers to address their concerns and retain talent during such transitions.
**Interviewer**: V. Čmilytė-Nielsen urged not to confuse dissatisfaction with the reform process with other issues. How might this distinction impact the future of the reform?
**Dr. Šuminas**: This distinction is critical. If the public perceives the dissatisfaction as solely about the reform, it may undermine the government’s initiative, even if there are unrelated issues at play. The ministry must identify the root causes of dissatisfaction and address them, whether they stem from the reform or existing structural problems in the healthcare system. By doing so, they can foster a more positive dialog and potentially build stronger support for the changes they wish to implement.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Šuminas, for your insights. As these discussions continue, it will be interesting to see how the government navigates these challenges.
**Dr. Šuminas**: Thank you for having me. I look forward to seeing how this unfolds, as it is crucial for the future of healthcare in Lithuania.
