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Transformation of state medical facilities into the joint-stock companies will continue. This decision was made by the government. More than 20 hospitals should be transformed by the end of this year, the others next year. In addition, the Government agreed on the disclosing of memorandum with the creditors of hospitals within the realization of debt relief before the transformation. Medical trade unions are, however, still trying to stop the transformation.

Several private investors are interested in the regional hospitals in Topoľčany and Levice, namely the companies Agel, Penta and Unifarma. Heads of caucuses established the commission, which should deal with the problem of financing of both health care facilities. The Commision's task is to determine whether it is possible to find an external operator. If this is not, the Commission will have to find out, how to continue with the non-profit organization Hospital and Clinic.

Suppliers of medicines and medical devices do not agree with the proposal of Ministry of Health to reduce the trade margins for distributor and servery of medical devices. Suppliers do not see a reason to decrease the total margin of 25%. The proposal will reduce the co-pays paid by patients and also the reimbursement of the medical devices by the insurance companies, but the insurance companies will save much more. The reason is that the measure will decrease the end price of medical devices and the reduction will be apportioned in the same proportion as the current reimbursement/co-pay.

According to daily Hospodárske noviny from 1/11/2011, President Ivan Gašparovič believes, that the fate of the transformation of hospitals into joint-stock companies should be decided by the new government. According to him, the present government should, after the loss of trust, no longer continue in the transformation process. Medical trade unions also urge politicians to cancel the entire process. Minister of Health wants, however, the transformation continuance to be reaffirmed by the decision of current government.

Slovakia will get nearly € 15 million from the European Regional Development Fund for the enhancement of skills of health workers. Non-repayable funds will be allocated to 13 entities, including hospitals, Public Health Authority as well as private medical facility providing comprehensive medical support for athletes. Hospital in Svidník will receive the most of financial resources. Nearly € 2 million will be assigned for education of physicians enrolled in the Department of Radiology.

Ministry of Health did not contact the Ministry of Defense in the context of the mass departure of doctors so far. Slovak Armed Forces may, if necessary, offer dozens of doctors mainly focused on the acute medicine, i.e. anaesthesiology, emergency medicine, surgical departments. By the possible shortfall of 2 400 doctors, however, the capacity of MoD would be insufficient. MoD also cannot provide experts from all areas, for example there are no paediatricians or gynaecologists.

According to assessment made by private health insurance company Dôvera, this year patients were most satisfied with the hospital in Prešov and hospital Šaca in Košice. While the hospital in Prešov won the first place among the faculty hospitals, private hospital in Šaca was the first among the general hospitals. The second best between the faculty hospitals is University hospital in Bratislava, as the third ended the Faculty hospital in Nové Zámky. Hospitals placed on the top positions supposedly got better thanks to the pushing for greater efficiency.

According to daily SME from 28/10/2011 nurses are likely to become involuntary victims of the war between the Ministry of Health and medical trade unions. One of the scenarios, how to deal with the shortage of doctors, is the merging of hospital departments. In this case beside resigned doctors also nurses will have to leave. According to the president of the Slovak chamber of nurses and midwives, patients and nurses are always hostages of the system. She also declares, that doctors should have, as well as sisters, first negotiate with the Ministry of Health.

Digital X-rays was this week installed in hospital in Revúca. Sciagraph or digital X-rays allows doctors an immediate examination. Patients do not have to wait for the chemical processing of light-sensitive film, doctor is able to see the footage of injured place immediately in his computer. Hospital used to have similar equipment in its operation in the past, but it was rented through the disadvantageous contract. According to SME daily, the new device was bought by the hospital and after its repayment will remain in its assets.

According to daily SME from 28/10/2011 companies could save thousands of euros since next year. This should be allowed by the amendment to the Act on occupational safety and health at work. All of the companies currently have to pay for the occupational health services. Since new year it should only be mandatory for the companies, whose employees have hazardous work, namely those in the categories 3 and 4. The occupational health services includes regular preventive examinations as well as supervising of the health environment.