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 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 do you suggest the government can improve communication with healthcare professionals to foster trust during systemic changes?
**Interview with Dr. Aurelijs Veryga, Former Minister of Health**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Dr. Veryga. There has been significant pushback from the opposition regarding the ongoing healthcare reform in Lithuania. They’ve called for a public review and an evidence-based assessment. What are your thoughts on this call for a review?
**Dr. Veryga:** Thank you for having me. I believe that any major reform, especially in healthcare, does require extensive consultation and dialogue with the public and healthcare professionals. The opposition’s call for a detailed review highlights the concerns that many stakeholders have. It’s essential that the implementation of reforms is transparent and backed by solid data to ensure public trust.
**Interviewer:** The Speaker of the Seimas, Viktorija Čmilytė-Nielsen, suggested that not enough information was provided before the reform began. Do you agree with this assessment?
**Dr. Veryga:** Yes, I do. When I was in office, I saw firsthand how critical communication is during systemic changes. It seems that the Ministry did not adequately prepare for this shift. Clear, timely communication to those affected—especially healthcare workers—can alleviate some of the resistance that typically arises.
**Interviewer:** Recently, there have been reports of resignations among healthcare managers and doctors linked to the ongoing reforms. Could this be a sign of deeper issues within the system?
**Dr. Veryga:** Absolutely. Staff resignations can be symptomatic of dissatisfaction with the reform process or changes in operational structure. While some may argue that these situations should not be conflated, it’s crucial to address these resignations seriously. They often indicate a disconnect between policy decisions and the practical realities on the ground.
**Interviewer:** Speaker Čmilytė-Nielsen mentioned that dissatisfaction with the reform shouldn’t be confused with unrelated issues. How can the government effectively distinguish between these concerns?
**Dr. Veryga:** It will take careful investigation and engagement with affected parties. Surveys, town hall meetings, and professional consultations can help gather genuine feedback. The government must listen to the voices of those impacted by the reform to determine whether dissatisfaction stems from the reforms themselves or from other systemic issues.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Veryga, for sharing your insights. It will be interesting to see how this situation unfolds as the debate over healthcare reform continues in Lithuania.
**Dr. Veryga:** Thank you for the opportunity to discuss this important issue. It’s vital we continue to have these conversations.