The Act on Civil Protection of the Population is to be amended o the definition of an extraordinary event, which will also be considered critical unavailability of institutional health care. In this context, it should be established obligation of health workers to provide health care during this extraordinary event.
Draft amendment to the Act i amendments to other related laws was approved by the government at an extraordinary session on Sunday. The Cabinet also approved discussion of the proposal in abbreviated legislative proceedings.
The proponents explained that the proposal is intended to prevent threats to the constitutional right to health protection and the right of citizens to free health care. “The legitimate goals of the proposed law are to ensure the protection of the life and health of the inhabitants of the Slovak Republic, the protection of the health care system and the prevention of interference with other rights and freedoms of persons,” emphasized the Minister of Health of the Slovak Republic Kamil Šaško (Voice-SD nominee).
He further explained that the state currently does not have sufficiently broad and appropriate options for achieving these goals, as there is no other, equally effective means that would interfere less with fundamental rights and freedoms and at the same time lead to the achievement of all legitimate goals. According to the approved proposal, an emergency situation in the case of critical unavailability of institutional health care can be declared for a maximum of 60 days and extend by a maximum of 60 days.
In connection with the proposed change, not only the law on civil protection of the population should be changed and the Act on health care providers, health workers, professional organizations in the health sector. The regulation also applies to the Criminal Code and the Act on Health Care, services related to the provision of health care, and in this case the regulation should have a preventive nature.
“Its goal is the maximum objectification of the assessment of the temporary incapacity for work of health workers,” adds the submitter. It is part of the measures to achieve the goal of the proposed legislation supplementing the Act on Economic Mobilization and the Act on Crisis Situations Outside of War and State of War. The law is to enter into force on the day of promulgation.
The Minister of Health announced on Friday, after negotiations with the Medical Trade Union (LOZ), that he has a plan to ensure health care after the new year, if the doctors’ resignations take effect. However, his priority is to reach an agreement with LOZ. He asked the medical trade unionists to present an updated list of their demands next week, which will be feasible by the end of the year.
The head of LOZ, Peter Visolajský, also declared his willingness to come to an agreement. He promised to send an updated list of demands, and at the same time, the trade unions expect the minister to submit a summary of the memorandum.
