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 is the government planning to address the concerns raised by healthcare workers regarding the impact of the reforms on their jobs and working conditions?
**Interview with V. Čmilytė-Nielsen, Speaker of the Seimas on Healthcare Reform in Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen. Last week, the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party called for a halt to the healthcare reform, citing a need for a thorough review. What is your response to their appeal?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Thank you for having me. It’s important to recognize that no reform of this magnitude is without its challenges. We’re implementing major systemic changes, and resistance is a natural part of that process. However, we are committed to ensuring that all stakeholders receive clear and comprehensive information about the changes.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that there seems to be a lack of information and communication. What steps is the ministry taking to address these concerns?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** The ministry must engage in proactive communication. The goal is to provide evidence-based assessments and ensure that those directly impacted by the reforms are well-informed. We acknowledge the importance of dialogue and are encouraging the ministry to enhance their outreach.
**Interviewer:** There have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors, with some attributing this to the reform. Do you believe these resignations are directly connected to the changes being implemented?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** It’s essential not to conflate these issues. While there may be dissatisfaction and questions regarding the reforms, the reasons for individual resignations can vary greatly. We need to investigate these cases further before establishing a direct link.
**Interviewer:** How do you plan to mitigate the concerns of those in the healthcare system as the reforms progress?
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Listening to the concerns of healthcare professionals and the public is key. We will be encouraging feedback and facilitating discussions to ensure that their voices are heard. Our aim is to create an inclusive process where everyone can contribute their insights on how to improve our healthcare system.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen. It will be interesting to see how the government progresses with the reforms amid these challenges.
**V. Čmilytė-Nielsen:** Thank you for the opportunity to share our perspective. We’re committed to making these reforms work for all Lithuanians.
