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 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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What are the main concerns raised by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party regarding the ongoing healthcare reform, and how do you think they should be addressed?
**Interview with Dr. Aurelijs Veryga on the Ongoing Healthcare Reform in Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Veryga. As a former Minister of Health, you’ve been closely observing the recent developments surrounding the healthcare reform in Lithuania. The opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party has raised concerns about the reform process. Can you share your thoughts on their appeal for a detailed review and assessment?
**Dr. Veryga:** Thank you for having me. The call for a detailed and public review of the healthcare reform is a legitimate concern, especially given the impact it has on patients and healthcare providers. A reform of this magnitude should be transparent and evidence-based, considering the diverse opinions and experiences of those who will be affected.
**Interviewer:** The ruling conservatives have pushed back against the criticism, suggesting that no reform is without resistance. Do you believe that the government has adequately communicated the need for these changes?
**Dr. Veryga:** Communication is crucial in any major policy reform. While systemic changes can be inherently challenging, the Ministry must clearly articulate the reasons behind the reform and actively engage with stakeholders. From what I see, it appears that there may be gaps in the information being shared, which can lead to misunderstandings and resistance.
**Interviewer:** Recently, there have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and staff, and you have noted a connection between these resignations and the ongoing reform. Can you elaborate on that?
**Dr. Veryga:** Yes, I’ve observed that the uncertainty and dissatisfaction surrounding the reform have likely contributed to these resignations. When there’s a significant change without adequate support or information, it can create instability within the workforce. That said, I understand our current Speaker of the Seimas has cautioned against conflating these situations, and it’s essential to assess each case individually.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker also mentioned that the Ministry needs to provide more information and answers regarding the reform. What steps could they take to improve this situation?
**Dr. Veryga:** First and foremost, establishing open forums for discussion and feedback can help address concerns. The Ministry should also consider published reports or updates on the progress of the reform, incorporating evidence-based assessments that reassure both healthcare workers and patients. Engagement and transparency play vital roles in fostering trust during such transitions.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights, Dr. Veryga. As this situation unfolds, we’ll continue to monitor the developments in Lithuania’s healthcare reform.
**Dr. Veryga:** Thank you for having me. It’s an important issue for all of us, and ongoing dialogue is essential for a successful implementation.
