Monitor: Health Minister Sasko Prepares New Plan for Emergency Ambulance Tender

(JOJ 24,'Politika 24', 9 August) Speaking on JOJ 24's discussion programme 'Politika 24' (Politics 24) on Sunday, Health Minister Kamil Sasko (Voice-SD) stated that he has already prepared a proposal for a solution to the tender for operating emergency medical service (ZZS) ambulance stations and will present it at professional level shortly. "The tender, or the allocation of stations, clearly cannot and will never operate as it has until now. This is due to the decision of the Public Procurement Authority. In the coming period, certainly within a matter of weeks, the Health Ministry's proposal on how the whole system should operate will be submitted for discussion to the Commission for Urgent Health Care," Sasko said. He added that the proposal will reflect the new reality in light of the office's decision. According to the minister, it is a very good solution that was developed following long-term discussions with all relevant stakeholders. The minister also confirmed that new air-conditioning units funded by the ministry are gradually being installed in hospitals. "When I was in Kosice last week, for example, 14 units were being installed at the children's hospital and 30 units at Kosice's university hospital; in Bratislava, there are 60," he said. He reiterated that systemic solutions are also necessary in this area. "The wiring, electricity and so on need to be completely overhauled, which involves much larger investments," he said, adding that he plans to submit a proposed solution at an August government session. The minister also commented on the planned merger of private health insurers Dovera and Union. "For healthcare, the best solution is to have a combination of private, public, European and other sources. So I have no problem with this. What's important is that there is thorough monitoring, thorough oversight and a strong regulator," he said. He said he has been in touch with the heads of both insurers as well as the head of the state-owned VsZP and the ministry is closely monitoring the situation. "Cross-ownership in healthcare may raise legitimate questions, but it is the state's role to regulate it rigorously. And that is happening," he said. He also underlined that the ministry will ensure that patients' rights and value for money are guaranteed. "Policyholders have nothing to fear," the minister accentuated. mf