HPI

Private equity group Penta has openly included the network of hospitals on the east of Slovakia to their portfolio. This group is already investing in the health care sector. It owns the health insurance company Dôvera, Dr. Max pharmacies, medical laboratories, a network of polyclinics Procare and in the past also the ambulances. It was always a financially interesting and less risky business. According to Eduard Maták, the partner of investment group Penta, it will be a disproportionately more difficult challenge to handle the long-term loss hospitals.

According to Medical trade union the fall of the government does not alter the four requirements and the need for urgent action to ensure a functioning system of health care in Slovakia. Doctors believe that current political situation does not prevent a dialog and the finding of the constructive solutions of emergency situation of the slovak health care. They regard it rather as another reason to stop the transformation of hospitals into joint-stock companies.

According to daily SME from 15/10/2011 the transformation of hospitals into joint-stock companies can stop just before the goal. Health care analysts agree, that after the fall of government there can be a lack of the will to finish it. The situation from 2006 could be recapitulated. The transformation at that time was apparently stopped by on-coming elections and the lack of courage. According to analyst Dusan Zachar the transformation will be an issue of campaign with negative image and the coalition parties will rather suspend it.

From December 2011 patients will probably have to pay themselves for the pharmaceuticals containing the substance assigned for the supporting and complementary therapy, which are provided in the frame of ambulant and pharmaceutical care. As proposed by Ministry of Health these pharmaceuticals should not be paid by public health insurance, so they will not be reimbursed by health insurance companies. MoH will determine the list of pharmaceuticals by a decree.

According to Slovak association of pharmaceutical companies the Act on drugs, which prohibits pharmaceutical companies to visit doctors or to sponsor the participation of doctors on the training activities, may require its tax. Pharmaceutical industry argues in particular that doctors do not get the knowledge about the latest drugs and innovative treatment procedures.

The fate of 31 hospitals transformation into joint-stock companies remains after the fall of government uncertain. Medical facilities in the scope of Ministry of health are to be transformed by the end of this year, in appropriate cases the term may be displaced by 6 months. However, the Ministry of health did not provide the clear answer as to whether the transformation will continue and whether it will be executed.

From January 2012 more than 162 000 insured person want to change the health insurance company. This information was provided by The Healthcare surveillance authority. Further information about the amount of insured persons in each health insurance company will by provided by The Healthcare surveillance authority in November. Number of people who have decided to change health insurance company almost doubled since last year.

After the acquisition of several regional hospitals the investment company Penta is admitting a firing of employees, according to Pravda daily (12/10/2011). Hospitals will reportedly begin to provide everything centrally, as well as service activities such as cleaning, laundry and catering. And here is probably the point, where employees should be prepared to lose their jobs.

According to daily Hospodárske noviny from 12/10/2011 Trade unions in Faculty hospital for children appeal for director Daniel Žitňan to resign in 24 hours. Allegedly he required doctors to work another 8 hours after 24-hours long service without the rest. However, director sees no reason for resignation. According to him doctors concluded two contracts – one for work through the day and one through the night – and so they work voluntarily.

According to Dean of Medical faculty of Comenius University the transformation of hospitals into joint-stock companies can limit the education of future physicians. He said for online news site aktualne.sk the hospitals will spare at the expanse of medic´s education and the science and research. The ministry of Health refuses this fact and declares that the teaching of new doctors will be improved – better management will reportedly lead to higher savings, which can be used also for teaching physicians.