Krajci: Almost 2,500 Doctors Might Leave Hospitals Due to Fico's Government

Bratislava, October 22 (TASR) - Former health minister and MP Marek Krajci ('Slovakia' party, For the People, Christian Union) has criticised Robert Fico's (Smer-SD) government, claiming that almost 2,500 doctors are threatening to leave Slovak hospitals due to its actions. At the same time, he called on the government not to touch the growth of health professionals' salaries, 'Slovakia' party spokesman Matus Bystriansky has informed TASR. "Doctors' trade unions announced that over 2,400 doctors from key hospital departments are ready to file resignation notices. They were forced to do so by Robert Fico's government, which is touching their salaries without any constructive discussion with them. The government is also trying to transform state-run hospitals into joint-stock companies, with trade unionists seeing it as a big risk," noted Krajci. The 'Slovakia' party has called on the government not to touch the growth of health workers' salaries and drop the idea of transforming hospitals into joint-stock companies. Krajci recalled the fact that two years ago Smer-SD and Voice-SD MPs voted for the agreement with health professionals thanks to which the situation in the health sector has calmed down and stabilised. "All health workers had their salary increases guaranteed. However, Robert Fico's government has decided to follow the path of destabilisation and breaking agreements with health workers," stated Krajci. Head of the Doctors Trade Union (LOZ) Peter Visolajsky announced at a press conference on Tuesday that hospital doctors are prepared to file their resignation notices en masse by the end of October, with 2,462 doctors already having drafted them. Compliance with the memorandum signed in 2022 is one of the main demands of health professionals. ko/mcs