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Prime Minister Pahor at the opening ceremony of the 147th assembly of the Slovenian Medical Association: "The health care reform must find an optimal balance between public and private sector"

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, today attended the 147th assembly of the Slovenian Medical Association where he addressed the participants. In his introduction, Prime Minister Pahor drew attention to the issue of the 'convertibility' of the medical profession, as in 2014 it will also become a real problem in Slovenia: "Being a doctor is one of the most challenging professions in the world, also in terms of ethics, since the work with patients requires high moral and professional responsibility, as well as responsibility not to abuse the power which doctors have over people who are most vulnerable when they fall ill and many times incapable of judging the necessity and professional competence of individual health care services."

   

In relation to the latter, Prime Minister Pahor supported the efforts of the medical sector to provide doctors with the best working conditions, stimulating salary system and appropriate social recognition: "In this sense, I also understand the amendments to health legislation – health care reform, which lies ahead of us. The reform must find an optimal and creative balance between public and private sector. Public health care must ensure that everyone has equal access to and receives equal quality health care services, while private sector must integrate entrepreneurial approach into the health care system, that is, better utilisation of health care capacities and personnel."

   

With regard to the announced health care reform, which is to follow pension reform, Slovenian Prime Minister Pahor also said that a public debate about the first part of health care reform and about the new law on health services began soon after the beginning of his term of office. The debate continued throughout the year and was, in terms of length and complexity, one of the most demanding public debates in the legislative history of our country, and has not resulted in a common social consensus. "At the end, however, someone must take the political responsibility and carry out the reform which, I believe, is urgent – even at the price of losing some votes at future elections," stressed the Prime Minister. On this occasion, Prime Minister Pahor also congratulated to all newly appointed head physicians for their titles and concluded his address by wishing all participants every success and creative pleasure in their demanding work.