Parliament Advances Health Bill into Second Reading

Bratislava, February 4 (TASR) - Lawmakers advanced the legislation, based on a deal clinched between the government and the LOZ doctors' labour unions, into a second reading with 77 votes out of 77 MPs present on Tuesday. The House has deliberated on the bill in a fast-tracked procedure. LOZ unionists underlined that the decision to withdraw mass resignations of more than 3,000 hospital doctors is contingent on the passing of the legislation. Changes to be introduced under the bill concern the valorisation of doctors' salaries, the introduction of personnel norms in hospitals and shorter working times for hospital health personnel. Also subject to change would be obligations of health insurers and the Office for Supervision of Health Care. Under the new legislation, health personnel will no longer be held criminally liable for violation of their duties during the state of emergency and the critical shortage of constitutional health care won't be included among special emergency events any more. mf/mcs