Sasko: I'll Present Results of Audit of State Hospitals Early Next Year

Bratislava, 29 December (TASR) - Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has told TASR in an interview that he plans to present the results of an in-depth audit of how state hospitals are operating at the beginning of the new year. He stated that the audit is one of the outcomes of talks with trade unions and focuses on how efficient state hospitals are, especially in terms of financing, management and operations. "It's under way at five state hospitals. We'll wait for the results and then act in an uncompromising manner," said the minister. According to Sasko, the audit concerns state hospitals exclusively, as the ministry has direct management authority over them, and their additional financing is the responsibility of the state. The minister sees the greatest scope for improving efficiency mainly in the system of financing state hospitals and in how they function in terms of procurement, operations, capacities and staffing. In addition, Sasko announced stricter oversight of public procurement at hospitals. "I've ordered very thorough checks of all public procurements worth over €5,000 at all hospitals, including all projects from the Recovery Plan," he added. mf/df