Kalinak Respects Dolinkova's Resignation, Views Health Sector as Important Issue

Bratislava, October 4 (TASR) - Defence Minister Robert Kalinak (Smer-SD) told journalists on Friday that he respects Health Minister Zuzana Dolinkova's (Voice-SD) decision to step down from her post, but it caught him by surprise. Kalinak objected to the claim that the health sector isn't a prime-ministerial issue. He views the issue as important. According to him, it will be necessary to discuss Dolinkova's claim about not feeling support from the government. At the same time, he thinks that processes in the health-care sector will have to be rationalised. "Patients rightfully complain that they don't feel the huge money going into the health-care sector. Therefore, it's important to make order there. However, I can't answer the question as to whether there was enough strength or energy to make a fundamental change in the health-care sector," said Kalinak. He thinks that the financial flows in the system should be redirected to the right parts so that patients feel it. According to Kalinak, the Defence Ministry strove to "put its hand to the work" within the health-care sector. He mentioned the project of a new hospital in Presov. "As part of the consolidation, we will take over part of the construction of a large hospital, which will also serve the civilian population at 85-90 percent. This is our contribution to support of the health-care sector in consolidation," added the minister. Dolinkova announced her decision to resign from her post on Friday. She plans to hand in her resignation to President Peter Pellegrini very soon. She said that she doesn't feel support for her goals and measures aimed at improving health care. The outgoing minister also blasted the consolidation measures approved by Parliament, as these shouldn't have touched the health-care sector. ko/mcs