Sasko: I Reject Fear-mongering and Politicising of Health Issues (2)

Bratislava, 17 July (TASR) – Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has rejected what he called the spreading of panic and fear-mongering, accusing the opposition of politicising health-care issues. Sasko made this statement in response to concerns raised by opposition parties about Slovakia's ability to meet deadlines for hospital construction funded by the Recovery and Resilience Plan. "I firmly reject the spreading of panic and alarming messages aimed at scaring a vulnerable group – patients. I refuse to participate in the opposition's summer race to bring worse news for Slovakia and to frighten people further," said Sasko in a statement. Sasko asserted that his ministry is following a clear plan to improve health care and patient care. "Unlike the opposition, which deliberately spreads fear and promotes unrealistic plans, I've been delivering daily solutions in agreement with the health-care sector and experts since taking up office," he added. The minister also criticised opposition figures for their past failures while in government. "We remember how these same people managed the ministry during the pandemic and how they failed with the Razzsochy and Martin hospital projects," he stated. He called on them to engage in a constructive and professional dialogue, adding that this is the only way to improve Slovakia’s health-care system. "If they aren't interested, I'll continue to improve health-care without them, in line with the current plan," said Sasko. Earlier on Thursday, MP and former health minister (2020-21) Marek Krajci ('Slovakia'-For the People-KU alliance) voiced concerns about potential delays in hospital construction under the EU recovery plan. He warned that Slovakia may miss its target and lose hundreds of millions of euros, citing minutes from a meeting of the European Commission's recovery mechanism expert group in Brussels. The hospital project in Banska Bystrica was highlighted as a key concern. Another opposition party, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS), has also expressed concerns on the matter. mf/df