Tuesday, 18. October 2011, 12:25

Hospital Malacky is currently providing the radiodiagnostic department with the top magnetic resonance imaging equipment. The new device provides physician a higher image quality and faster time to investigate the patient. Thanks to the using of the modern Tim technology, which allows to connect multiple coils, with no further positioning of the patient gradually the wider range can be investigated. Patients will be able to use a new device from January 2012.

Tuesday, 18. October 2011, 12:23

According to weekly Zdravotnícke noviny from 6/10/2011 the draft law on minimum wage for nurses and midwives should have been prepared at the end of the September, but it is still being discussed by the chamber and the Ministries of Health and Labour. Chamber calls for the remuneration taking into account the experience and education. Ministry of Health relies on the performance of work activities, not the education. The law should take effect in mid-2012.

Tuesday, 18. October 2011, 12:18

According to daily Plus jeden deň from 6/10/2011 negotiating between doctors representatives and Minister Ivan Uhliarik ended up successfully for doctors. They managed to push three of four requirements – compliance with the Labour Code, an increase of salaries of doctors and improving of the sector financing. Minister, however, disagreed with the requirements of the trade unionists to stop the transformation of the hospitals into the joint-stock companies.

Tuesday, 18. October 2011, 12:12

Slovakia is at the end of the developed world within the frame of eHealth. Effort of the Ministry of Health of the Slovak republic aims to accelerate the development of eHealth so that first benefits for citizens, health care institutions and state will come in 2013. Statement of preparation analysis of the Program for the implementation of eHealth into practice is currently in proceedings. The government is committed to develop and complete the implementation of eHealth by meeting the needs of Slovak health care system and EU strategy.

Tuesday, 18. October 2011, 12:07

Patients with advanced diseases of cornea have a new hope. For the first time in Slovakia doctors implanted the 6-millimeter cornea rings, in the eye medicine known as Kerarings. Although the method is not new in Slovakia, for the first time medical team implanted the ring with a diameter of 6 millimeters, allowing a treatment to the wider range of patients.

Monday, 17. October 2011, 0:12

The private equity group Penta enhanced its investment portfolio by another hospital – Hospital and Outpatient Centre in Partizánske. The new investor committed himself to operate the hospital for 20 years. Assumed amount of the annual hospital lease should be € 100 000, while 90% of this amount should be invested back into the hospital.

Monday, 17. October 2011, 0:10

The way of drug prescriptions in Slovakia will be changed. President has signed the new Act on Pharmaceuticals with effect from December 1st, 2011. Beside the prescribed drug, doctors will be required to initiate also the active substance, while the obligation of the pharmacist will be to expend the cheapest drug. Based on the clinical grounds, the doctor will be authorized to prohibit the expedition of the generic drug. This change will affect approximately 40% of the pharmaceuticals. Ministry of Health expects the annual savings of patients to be € 50 million annually.

Monday, 17. October 2011, 0:06

According to daily Hospodárske noviny from 28/9/2011 the government approved another step in the transformation of the state hospitals into joint stock companies. State will be a 100 % shareholder of the transformed hospitals and the transfer of the shares will be approved by the government. Transformation should bring more effective management of the hospital resources and termination of wastage. 31 hospitals are to be transformed till the end of this year.

Monday, 17. October 2011, 0:05

Another University hospital has a new director. After Bratislava, Žilina and Martin, head of the hospital was also changed in Košice. The new director of L. Pasteur University Hospital in Košice became Tomáš Sieber. Change in the director position was reportedly necessary due to speed up the adoption of stabilization measures in the hospital.

Monday, 17. October 2011, 0:04

According to daily SME from 3/10/2011 the Ministry of Health of Slovak republic proposes to reduce office hours of emergency posts up to 10pm. This restriction is justified by inefficiencies and is based on analysis, which was made in March 2009 and January 2011. Association of first aid providers doubts the results of the analysis and fears that office hours shortening will threaten the access to care.