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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What are the potential impacts of the Social Democratic Party’s call for a review of healthcare reform on future healthcare policies in Lithuania?
**Interview with Dr. Jurgis Žilinskas, Health Policy Expert and Former Health Advisor**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Žilinskas. We’ve been following the recent developments regarding the healthcare reform in Lithuania, particularly the appeal made by the opposition Social Democratic Party for a stop and thorough review of the reform. What are your thoughts on their request?
**Dr. Žilinskas:** Thank you for having me. The Social Democratic Party’s call for a detailed and public review of the healthcare reform is quite significant. It underscores a growing concern about how these systemic changes are being implemented. A transparent review is essential to ensure that all stakeholders—patients, healthcare professionals, and administrators—are on the same page and that the reforms truly address the issues at hand.
**Editor:** The ruling conservatives have rejected the opposition’s criticisms, stating that resistance to reform is a common occurrence. What’s your perspective on this?
**Dr. Žilinskas:** Resistance to reform is indeed a reality in any major system overhaul. However, the way these changes are communicated and implemented is crucial. As mentioned by the Speaker of the Seimas, it’s vital for the ministry to prepare comprehensive arguments and provide information to those affected. Without this transparency, it breeds distrust and uncertainty, which might explain the recent resignations in the healthcare sector.
**Editor:** Resignations have been reported among managers and medical professionals, and some have linked them to the ongoing reforms. Do you see a direct correlation here?
**Dr. Žilinskas:** There certainly appears to be a connection. When professionals feel that major changes are being made without their input or adequate explanation, they may choose to leave rather than navigate an uncertain landscape. However, it’s also important not to conflate different issues. The Speaker emphasized that while questions and dissatisfaction exist, we need to look at each situation independently to fully understand the causes behind these departures.
**Editor:** The Speaker also mentioned the need for clear information from the ministry. In your opinion, what steps should be taken to improve communication moving forward?
**Dr. Žilinskas:** First and foremost, the ministry should initiate open forums where healthcare professionals and the public can express their concerns and ask questions. Regular updates and detailed explanations of the reform process can help demystify changes. Additionally, involving stakeholders in the planning and execution phases of the reform could foster a collaborative environment and alleviate resistance.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Žilinskas, for your valuable insights on this critical issue. We hope to see positive developments in the healthcare sector soon.
**Dr. Žilinskas:** Thank you for having me. Let’s hope for a constructive dialogue that will lead to meaningful improvements in our healthcare system.