Ministry Hopes for Mutual Compromise and Reconciliation in Health-care Sector

Bratislava, December 31 (TASR) - In a response to information about a threat that doctors on notice will stop working as of the New Year (January 1), the Health Ministry stated on Monday (December 30) that it believes that a mutual compromise and reconciliation in the health-care sector will be achieved. "The Health Ministry is actively addressing the situation and negotiating with all providers of institutional health care," said the ministry. The Medical Trade Union Association (LOZ) confirmed for TASR on Monday that there is still a risk that more than 3,300 doctors won't work as of the New Year, with the reason being that about 20 doctors have still not concluded with Agel and Penta Hospitals amendments to the contracts agreed between the LOZ and the Health Ministry. On behalf of the government, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) signed an agreement with LOZ in December on establishing social reconciliation in the health-care sector. In it, the government committed itself to fulfilling a number of the medical trade union's demands. The two sides will also continue to negotiate on disputed points. LOZ was supposed to ensure that doctors withdrew their resignation notices. Based on the contract, hospital doctors should receive salary increases according to the original conditions before financial consolidation was introduced. am/df