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 better communication between the Ministry of Health and stakeholders impact the success of healthcare reforms?
**Interview with Dr. Jonas Petraitis, Health Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Petraitis. The Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has recently called for a halt to the healthcare network reform. What are your thoughts on their appeal?
**Dr. Petraitis:** Thank you for having me. The Social Democratic Party’s concerns highlight a significant issue in the reform process. Public consultation and an evidence-based assessment are crucial for any systemic change, especially in healthcare, where the stakes are incredibly high for both providers and patients. It’s important for the public to have confidence in reforms that directly affect their health.
**Editor:** The ruling conservatives counter that every reform faces resistance. Do you think that this resistance indicates issues in the reform process?
**Dr. Petraitis:** Resistance is indeed a common aspect of structural changes. However, it can also signal that the reforms may not have been communicated effectively to stakeholders. The Speaker’s comments suggest a need for better engagement with affected parties, which could help alleviate some concerns and improve the reception of these reforms.
**Editor:** There have been reports of resignations within healthcare institutions linked to these reforms. How do you interpret this situation?
**Dr. Petraitis:** Resignations can be a sign of discontent regarding the changes being implemented. While it’s important not to jump to conclusions, as Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen suggested, we cannot ignore the potential impact of reform on workforce stability. A transparent dialogue regarding the changes and their implications for healthcare staff is essential to prevent further disruptions.
**Editor:** The Speaker mentioned the need for better communication and information dissemination. What steps do you think the Ministry of Health should take to improve this?
**Dr. Petraitis:** First, the Ministry should organize public forums and workshops where healthcare professionals, patients, and the general populace can voice their concerns and receive clear explanations about the reforms. Additionally, providing accessible documentation and updates on the reform progress can help build trust and clarity. Collaboration with healthcare workers in the decision-making process could also mitigate resistance and foster a more cooperative environment.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Petraitis, for your insights. It seems transparent communication and engagement will be key to moving forward with these healthcare reforms.
**Dr. Petraitis:** Absolutely. Effective reforms require the involvement and support of all stakeholders to ensure that they benefit the healthcare system and the people it serves. Thank you for having me.