Strasbourg – On Tuesday, February 11, members of the European Parliament (EP) convened in Strasbourg to engage in discussions with representatives from the European Commission about the EU’s need for a sufficient and qualified workforce in the healthcare sector. Slovak MEPs, representing various political factions, conveyed to TASR that this issue significantly affects Slovakia as well.
Within the newly formed EP Committee on Public Health (SANT), Slovakia is represented by two MEPs: Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (RE/PS) and Monika Beňová (non-attached/Smer-SD). They highlighted that the World Health Organization projects a shortfall of over four million healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, in the EU by 2030—an issue that will impact all member states.
Cifrová Ostrihoňová pointed out that beyond the nurse shortage, Slovakia is grappling with structural issues, including outdated hospitals. She criticized the government for its ineffective use of structural funds allocated for healthcare improvement, stating, “The recovery plan and EU funds are set aside to enhance hospital infrastructure, but Slovakia’s failure to utilize these resources effectively has left us with inadequate facilities,” leading to young doctors leaving the country.
She mentioned that Slovakia primarily addresses the workforce shortage by employing Ukrainian workers and suggested that if healthcare were prioritized by the government, it could facilitate meaningful discussions about sourcing and integrating new healthcare professionals into the national system.
Cifrová Ostrihoňová praised the idea of a Health Union and the introduction of a three-year “Nursing Action” program in January, a collaborative initiative between the European Commission and the Polish presidency of the EU Council, aimed at tackling the nursing shortage through tailored solutions for each member state.
Beňová stressed that the nurse shortage is Slovakia’s primary challenge, and the outlook for the future is grim. She welcomed the establishment of a dedicated healthcare committee in the EP, emphasizing that this critically important issue requires deeper investigation, especially given the rising incidence of mental illness and autism, which has often been overlooked. “We face significant issues regarding medical personnel and doctors; we are essentially trading them among ourselves. What can we do? The EU should encourage member states to invest more in education, including for individuals from third countries, and streamline the diploma recognition process for foreign professionals,” she asserted.
Katarína Roth Neveďalová (non-attached/Smer-SD) highlighted the aging population in Europe, stating that longer lifespans create additional pressures on healthcare systems. She suggested that the EU could support its member states by providing programs aimed at improving the education and professional qualifications of healthcare workers, including those from third countries with relevant qualifications.
EP Vice-President Martin Hojsík (RE/PS) reminded attendees that MEPs advocated for the EU4Health program during the COVID-19 pandemic. While responsibility for healthcare lies primarily with member states, the EP continues to push for better pay for healthcare workers and expedited diploma recognition. “We strive to assist wherever our authority permits,” he stated, highlighting the benefits of pan-European collaboration in negotiating better pharmaceutical prices. He criticized Slovakia’s decision to opt out of international cooperation during the pandemic. (February 12)
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