PS Criticises Premier for Inaction in Health Sector, Calls for Early Election

Bratislava, December 17 (TASR) - MPs for the opposition Progressive Slovakia (PS) party at a press conference on Tuesday drew attention to the serious situation in the health-care sector and criticised Premier Robert Fico for his inaction, rejecting his claim that he's in a conflict of interest. "The premier is supposed to serve the people of Slovakia every day, and at this moment patients are left in uncertainty about whether they will receive health care. As Premier Fico has neglected health care over 14 years of his governments, he could have at least stepped in at this critical moment. As I said, I find it outrageous that he's leaving the entire difficult negotiations to Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD), who, let's face it, is inexperienced and has been there [at the Health Ministry] for just two months," stated MP and PS leader Michal Simecka. He stressed that if Fico isn't interested in resolving people's problems, the idea of an early general election should be raised. The PS MPs also drew attention to the critical situation in the education sector and expressed their support for the Education Trade Union, which declared a strike alert on Tuesday. The premier stated earlier in the day that it's up to Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) to address the situation in the health-care sector in connection with doctors' resignation notices. He stressed he is in a deep conflict of interest when it comes to the issue of health-care workers because they saved his life following the assassination attempt on him in May. lin/df