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, maybe 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 outpatient services at the place of residence of patients and reduce hospitalization.
New formations 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 expansion 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 the voices of healthcare professionals be better integrated into the reform process to address their concerns and reduce resignations?
**Interview with Aurelijs Veryga, Former Minister of Health of Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mr. Veryga. Last week, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party urged officials to halt the healthcare reform and conduct a detailed review. What are your thoughts on their appeal?
**Aurelijs Veryga:** Thank you for having me. The appeal from the Social Democratic Party underscores a significant concern among various stakeholders in the healthcare sector. Reforming the healthcare network is undeniably complex, and any major systemic change will naturally encounter resistance. I believe that it is crucial to engage in an open dialogue with the public and healthcare professionals to ensure their perspectives are taken into account.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that the ministry needs to provide clear information to those affected by the reform. Do you think the government has been transparent enough?
**Aurelijs Veryga:** Transparency is key in any reform process. If the ministry lacks effective communication, it can lead to misunderstandings, resistance, and even resignations, as we’ve seen recently in various healthcare institutions. It’s vital that the ministry articulates its goals and the evidence supporting the reforms clearly to reduce confusion and foster trust.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of resignations, you have suggested that some of these may be linked to the ongoing reforms. Can you elaborate on that?
**Aurelijs Veryga:** Yes, I have noted a troubling trend where healthcare professionals are resigning during this reform process. While it’s difficult to definitively link all resignations to the reforms, there is certainly an atmosphere of uncertainty that can contribute to these decisions. People in high-stakes professions like healthcare often seek stability, and if they feel that their job security or the quality of care is being jeopardized, they may choose to leave.
**Interviewer:** The current Speaker has urged not to conflate dissatisfaction with the reforms and individual resignations. Do you agree?
**Aurelijs Veryga:** It’s important to distinguish these issues, yes, but dissatisfaction is often a symptom of deeper, unresolved issues. While one might argue that individual resignations may not directly stem from the reforms, they can be indicative of broader sentiments within the healthcare community. Listening to these voices is imperative for a successful reform.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what do you think the government should do moving forward?
**Aurelijs Veryga:** I believe that the government needs to take a step back and reassess how they communicate these reforms. Engaging healthcare professionals and the public in a meaningful way is essential. A transparent process that incorporates feedback will not only alleviate fears but also foster a sense of collaboration in improving our healthcare system.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Mr. Veryga. Your perspective on these important issues is much appreciated.
**Aurelijs Veryga:** Thank you for having me. It’s a critical time for Lithuanian healthcare, and I hope for constructive dialogue moving forward.
