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 effective communication strategies improve stakeholder acceptance of healthcare reforms, according to Dr. Jankauskienė?
**Interview with Dr. Elena Jankauskienė, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Jankauskienė. In recent news, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has called for a cessation of the healthcare reform currently underway, urging for a public review. What’s driving this opposition?
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** Thank you for having me. The opposition appears to be concerned about the potential impacts of the reforms without adequate public consultation and evidence-based assessments. They highlight that systemic changes to healthcare can be disruptive, and it is essential to ensure these changes are well-understood and accepted by the public and professionals involved.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that no reform comes without resistance and emphasized the need for the Ministry of Health to communicate effectively about these changes. How do you view the communication strategy around these reforms?
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** Communication is absolutely critical in any significant reform. It seems that there may have been a gap in informing stakeholders, including healthcare workers and the public, about the rationale behind these changes. The Speaker suggested that it feels like the information is coming too late, which can lead to confusion and resistance from those affected, as we have witnessed with reports of resignations among healthcare managers and staff.
**Interviewer:** Former Minister Aurelijs Veryga linked the resignations to the ongoing reforms. Do you think there’s a direct correlation?
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** It’s certainly plausible. When major reforms are introduced, especially if they feel abrupt or lacking transparency, it can lead to dissatisfaction among staff, resulting in resignations. However, we must also consider that individuals leave positions for various reasons, and while reform-related stress might play a role, it is important not to oversimplify these situations.
**Interviewer:** The ruling conservatives have rejected the opposition’s criticisms. What does this indicate about the political climate regarding healthcare in Lithuania?
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** This situation reflects a broader trend in politics where major reforms often become battlegrounds for party politics. The ruling party’s dismissal of the opposition concerns suggests a commitment to their agenda, but it also risks alienating constituents who might feel unheard. The need for a balanced approach that includes feedback mechanisms could serve to mitigate some of this tension.
**Interviewer:** what steps should be taken moving forward to address the concerns raised by the opposition and other stakeholders?
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** I believe it’s imperative for the Ministry of Health to initiate open dialogues with healthcare professionals and the public. This could include public forums for discussion and more thorough dissemination of information regarding the goals and expected outcomes of the reforms. Moreover, conducting a comprehensive, evidence-based assessment of the reform’s impacts would also help build trust and ensure that all voices are considered in this crucial transition.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Jankauskienė, for sharing your insights on this important issue in Lithuanian healthcare reform.
**Dr. Jankauskienė:** Thank you for having me! It’s crucial that we continue to have these conversations.
