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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**Interview with Health Policy Expert: Discussing the Ongoing Healthcare Reform in Lithuania**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today. We’ve been following the developments regarding the healthcare reforms in Lithuania, particularly the recent appeal from the opposition Lithuanian Social Democratic Party urging a halt to the reform for a detailed review. What are your initial thoughts on this situation?
**Guest:** Thank you for having me. The call from the Social Democratic Party reflects a significant concern in the public and professional sectors about the pace and transparency of these reforms. Given the complexities within the healthcare system, it’s crucial to ensure that changes are evidence-based and well-communicated to all stakeholders, especially the healthcare professionals and patients who will be directly affected.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas mentioned that no reform goes without resistance, and it appears there’s a sense of urgency for more robust communication from the Ministry of Health. How important is this communication in the context of reforming a health system?
**Guest:** Communication is absolutely vital. When reforms are introduced, stakeholders must be informed adequately about the reasons behind them, what changes to expect, and how those changes will impact their roles and responsibilities. A lack of communication can lead to confusion, dissatisfaction, and in some cases, resignations from key personnel—like we’ve seen recently among managers and doctors, which former Minister Aurelijs Veryga has pointed out. This can exacerbate challenges within the system at a time when strong leadership and stability are essential [[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1310618/)].
**Interviewer:** There’s been a noticeable uptick in resignations in healthcare institutions attributed to the ongoing reforms. Should this be a cause for concern for the government, and how might it affect public trust in the healthcare system?
**Guest:** Absolutely, it is a serious concern. The resignation of professionals can lead to service disruptions and lower morale among remaining staff, which can ultimately affect patient care. If those within the system feel uncertain or unsupported during a period of change, it can significantly undermine public confidence. Trust is a key component in healthcare, and maintaining transparency and responsiveness to these concerns is essential for rebuilding that trust [[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1310618/)].
**Interviewer:** In light of the criticism directed at the ruling conservatives’ handling of the reform, what steps do you think the government should take moving forward?
**Guest:** The government should prioritize an open dialog with all affected parties, including healthcare workers, patients, and other stakeholders. Conducting an independent and thorough evaluation of the proposed reforms would help address the opposition’s concerns. It’s also beneficial to create platforms for ongoing feedback and discussions. This way, the government can demonstrate a commitment to transparency and adaptability in the reform process, which could help alleviate fears and foster collaboration [[1](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1310618/)].
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights. It’s clear that the road ahead for Lithuania’s healthcare reforms may be challenging, but with the right approach, it can lead to positive outcomes.
**Guest:** Thank you. Yes, with careful planning and open communication, there’s a possibility for successful reform that genuinely improves the healthcare landscape in Lithuania.
