NEWS
Prime Minister Borut Pahor visits University Medical Centre Ljubljana
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today paid a working visit to the University Medical Centre (UKC) in Ljubljana where he met the management of this institution. In his statement to the press Mr Pahor said that the Government has decided to reform the healthcare system. This is an inevitable step in order to find, at the systemic level, solutions for certain problems that also concern the UKC and other institutions of the public healthcare system. Elaborating on this issue, Prime Minister Pahor said: "I must highlight the significance of the fact that during times of general recession, we have managed to maintain the quality of healthcare services at a level equal to the one before the recession."
(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)
Moreover, Mr Pahor said: "The Government's task is that following the submission of the Health Services Act to the National Assembly for discussion, it also adopts the Health Care and Health Insurance Act. Although these two acts do not mean the conclusion of the reform process, they nevertheless represent the two most important instruments, which seek to resolve certain old and new problems occurring within the healthcare system. According to public opinion polls, health is considered the highest value by all people. Accordingly, they also expect the national authorities to do everything within their power to facilitate access to quality health services, a task to which the Government remains committed as regards the public sector. However, we do not wish to restrict private initiatives and also intend to regulate the public-private sphere." During the meeting with the hospital's management, the participants agreed that every three months, the UKC Board should prepare a report on the problems diagnosed and the method of their resolution by the management. In doing so, the Board should clearly distinguish profession-related problems from the ones connected with the management of the UKC. The report will be first submitted to the Minister of Health and subsequently to the Health Committee of the National Assembly. "Through this measure, we wish to help resolve the problems of the UKC, including financial, personnel and other problems", added the Slovenian Prime Minister.
(Photo: Stanko Gruden/STA)
At the close of the meeting, Mr Pahor emphasised that the UKC has been and remains Slovenia's pride. We all want it to be a central healthcare institution, not only regionally but also in a broader area, an institution, in which young medical graduates would find employment, thus realising their dreams from their university years. According to Mr Pahor, the door of the UKC should, however, also be left open to experts from abroad: "This institution provides top-level services and therefore we also want it to have top-level specialists who would be adequately rewarded and willing to work there. This does not only apply to doctors, but also to the entire medical and support staff. Such approach will make the UKC an effective and efficient institution, which will further enjoy its reputation."