ANS Supports Petko, But His Conviction Will Be Subject of Meeting on Thursday

Bratislava, March 11 (TASR) - The Slovak Hospitals Association (ANS) has expressed its support for its head Marian Petko, who has been found guilty of corruption by the Supreme Court, Lucia Melichova of the association's office told TASR on Tuesday, adding that ANS is aware of the gravity of the situation and will therefore address the issue at a meeting of the ANS Council on Thursday (March 13). "The Slovak Hospitals Association is expressing its support for its president Marian Petko, who has long defended the interests of regional hospitals and patients. His work and experience are indispensable to ANS, and we continue to see him as a strong leader in the fight for better conditions in the health-care sector," said ANS in a statement. Melichova added that despite this, ANS is aware of the gravity of the situation and will address the issue at the next ANS Council meeting. "President Marian Petko has requested that this item should be included on the agenda," she stated. ANS president and Bardejov Hospital director Marian Petko has been fined €10,000 by the Supreme Court for receiving a bribe. Several opposition MPs have called on Petko to quit as ANS president. They also think that he should step down as director of the hospital. am/df