Minister Sasko: We're Ready to Defend Scrapped Ambulance Service Tender in Court

Bratislava, 31 December (TASR) - The ministry is prepared to defend the scrapping of the ambulance service tender in court, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) has said in an interview with TASR, emphasising that the cancellation didn't cause any financial damage to the state and that the ministry's goal was to protect the public interest. "The decision on what action Prosecutor-General Maros Zilinka will take is entirely his own," said the minister, stressing that the ministry responded to the protests and that discussions were ongoing with representatives of the Prosecutor-General's Office. "We're convinced that we acted correctly. The tender was scrapped, and we're prepared to defend this decision in court," he said. Sasko rejected claims of financial damage. "Despite what is being said here about some €2 billion ..., exactly zero euros left," he emphasised, adding that the ministry acted with the aim of protecting public funds. According to him, following the cancellation of the tender, the ministry is focusing on the next steps. "We're now concentrating on what the system will look like going forward," he stated, noting that he plans to present his vision for the future configuration of the emergency medical services system in early 2026. The tender for the operation of emergency medical service ambulances was announced by the Emergency Medical Service Operations Centre in May. The tender was heavily criticised by the opposition and part of the coalition for its lack of transparency. The Operations Centre cancelled it in August. In November, Prosecutor-General Zilinka reported that the ministry had proceeded with the licensing process for the operation of emergency medical service ambulances in violation of the law and filed protests. am