Sutaj Estok: Health Minister Has My Full Confidence

Bratislava, 6 August (TASR) - Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has my full confidence, coalition Voice-SD party leader Matus Sutaj Estok announced on social media on Wednesday, saying that he's convinced Sasko will explain in detail any issues related to the ambulance service tender and dispel all doubts. "I know Health Minister Kamil Sasko as a person who always puts the interests of patients and the quality of health care first. He applied the very same responsible approach in addressing the ambulance tender, in which he paid heed to professionalism, transparency and spending public funds efficiently. That's why he has my full confidence," said the Voice-SD leader, adding that the opposition is misusing the issue to "cover up its own scandal involving election interference". He also also recalled how the health-care sector was managed during the term of the former government. "Purchases of materials, the legendary mobile testing facilities (MOMs) and other scandals are being investigated, and I believe that the public will soon learn the truth about this era marked by chaos, abuse of power and wasting of public funds," he stated. The tender has been criticised not only by the opposition but also by the coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) and the Doctors Labour Union Association (LOZ). President Peter Pellegrini also stressed the need for transparency in the process. Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) has said that if Sasko fails to dispel doubts surrounding the ambulance service tender, he will insist on cancelling it and restarting the competition. The Health Ministry has stated that the selection process is being conducted in a standard manner and fully in accordance with current legislation. The tender concerns the operation of 344 ground ambulance stations and seven air ambulance units. jrg/df/ko