Slovakia is not Matovič’s toy – Comments and glosses – Opinions
It should have been just a formality. On Saturday, the Medical Trade Union stepped down from its salary demands. A compromise was on the table. On Monday, everything went wrong. Minister of Finance Igor Matovič started negotiations with the doctors.
Why Vladimír Lengvarský, the head of the health department, does not negotiate with the doctors, but the finance minister, or at least both of them, is beyond the logical understanding of an ordinary mortal. Instead, Lengvarský negotiated with the Ministry of the Interior, Roman Mikulac, about emergency measures, the so-called plan B, in case almost a quarter of dissatisfied doctors leave Slovak hospitals at the end of the month (2,100 doctors from 31 hospitals). Although government officials claim that this is only a preparation, a kind of insurance, it is obvious that they take the catastrophic variant very seriously.
Just last week, Prime Minister Eduard Heger intervened in the dispute. He himself guaranteed that both sides will come to an agreement and that it will turn out well for patients, doctors and the whole of Slovakia. Instead of sitting at the top table on Monday, he flew to visit the Netherlands. Belatedly, we understood why I was senselessly calling for negotiations already during the weekend – not for the doctor’s sake, but for my own sake.
Don’t you have the premiere wrong priorities? Prefer a routine foreign trip – which could easily be postponed – instead of serious negotiations with doctors in a critical situation, does not speak of the greatness of politics. Logically, his party boss Igor Matovič took over. The ministries of health and the interior also fall under the wings of the OĽaNO movement. Based on many experiences from the past, we cannot speculate that this is a hidden agreement in the OĽaNO movement. Chief Matovič wants to negotiate with the doctors personally.
Slovakia cannot afford to lose two thousand doctors and leave patients to their fate. This country is not Matovič’s toy.
Although it was only a matter of cosmetic modifications, the Minister of Finance will still support the scratch. Out of the eight demands of the medical professions – which even a small child is already familiar with – the negotiations stalled on the first one: hospital financing. Doctors demand that such a model is finally set up so that hospitals do not have to regularly go into debt. The fact is that it is the floor of the Minister of Finance. The doctors are right.
The system must be set up so that money flows directly to hospitals, not through the health insurance company or so that it does not end up in the pockets of large private players in the health sector. This is nothing new. This, as well as other points, has already been discussed repeatedly. Matovič is lying when he says he didn’t know about anything. He may not have known all the details, but Heger and Lengvarský certainly informed him in detail.
According to the head of trade unions, Petr Visolajský, his colleagues are lifted from their chairs by Matovič. Instead of him negotiating seriously, we present various graphs and red numbers on the press (already classic and pompous as always). Who benefits? Doctors, Slovakia or just Matovič’s complacency?
And who is the prime minister here, Heger or Matovič? If Heger, then it will finally be necessary to bang on the table and get the government in order. Slovakia cannot afford to lose two thousand doctors and leave patients to their fate. This country is not Matovič’s toy. Finally we have to stop him.