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 Dr. Audra Petronienė suggest addressing the opposition’s call for an evidence-based approach to healthcare reform?
**Interview with Dr. Audra Petronienė, Healthcare Policy Expert**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Petronienė. The situation in Lithuania’s healthcare reform has been quite contentious recently, especially with the opposition urging for changes. Can you give us an overview of the current state of the reforms and the opposition’s stance?
**Dr. Petronienė:** Thank you for having me. The reforms currently in progress aim to streamline Lithuania’s healthcare network, which is seen as a necessary step for improving efficiency and quality. However, the opposition, specifically the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, has called for a halt to these reforms. They argue that a detailed and public review is essential, claiming that the changes should be based on robust evidence rather than being implemented hastily.
**Editor:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that all reforms face resistance and pointed out a lack of communication from the ministry. How do you interpret this statement in the context of the ongoing situation?
**Dr. Petronienė:** That statement highlights the typical challenges that come with significant systemic changes in any sector, especially healthcare. The Speaker’s concern about the ministry needing to better communicate and explain the reasons behind the reforms is crucial. Without proper engagement and information dissemination to stakeholders, including healthcare professionals and the public, there’s bound to be confusion and resistance.
**Editor:** There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors, with some connections made to the reforms. How significant is this issue?
**Dr. Petronienė:** Resignations can be both a symptom and a signal. As mentioned by former Minister Aurelijs Veryga, the ongoing reforms might be contributing to dissatisfaction among staff. High turnover can impact the delivery of services and might reflect deeper issues within the reform process. However, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen urged caution in linking these resignations directly to the reforms without additional context. It’s important to assess whether these are isolated incidents or indicative of widespread discontent.
**Editor:** What is your view on the necessity of an evidence-based approach in public healthcare reforms, as advocated by the opposition?
**Dr. Petronienė:** An evidence-based approach is vital when implementing reforms in healthcare. It ensures that changes are grounded in data and proven outcomes, rather than being driven by political motives or assumptions. This not only increases the chances of success but also builds trust among healthcare professionals and the public. Transparency and thorough assessments can help mitigate fears and resistance to change.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Petronienė, for your insights on this critical issue. As the situation unfolds, it will be interesting to see how the government reacts to the opposition’s calls and how healthcare professionals respond to the reforms.
**Dr. Petronienė:** Thank you for having me. It’s indeed a pivotal time for Lithuania’s healthcare system, and ongoing dialog will be crucial for achieving effective reforms.