“So that there is no incitement against doctors, because that would be something catastrophic – the system must be rebuilt as quickly as possible so that situations that make one’s blood run cold do not occur. It is in the best interest of doctors to bring the situation in healthcare to an acceptable new normal as soon as possible”, said Prime Minister Donald Tusk in his first statement addressing the latest developments in the scandal at the Southern Hospital.
The entire country of Poland is focused on the case of irregularities that resulted in the deaths of patients at the Southern Hospital in Warsaw. Dr. Emil Jędrzejewski, who spoke about cases of deaths allegedly linked to the actions of a young doctor and Civic Platform (KO) activist Dawid Kacprzyk, is being questioned by the prosecutor’s office. When asked whether Kacprzyk would also be questioned, Waldemar Żurek replied that it is “absolutely necessary”. However, the Prosecutor General does not know where the former Emergency Department coordinator from the Ursynów facility is currently located.
The case was addressed shortly after 1:00 p.m. by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. During a press conference accompanying the opening of a section of the S6 expressway in the Pomeranian Voivodeship, he spoke about the need to clarify the irregularities “down to the very bottom”.
“It is not my task to assess the credibility of statements made in these or other broadcasts by the figures involved in this case. That is not my role. I have my own opinion about the credibility of certain sources. But the matter is too serious, and the allegations are very serious. As you know, questioning is now underway… of the surgeon who revealed… perhaps not in a precise and detailed manner, but in a sufficiently alarming way described the irregularities that, in his opinion, took place in this hospital. I hope that the questioning, which is taking place immediately after his public account, will bring more concrete information”, said Donald Tusk.
He also assured that in clarifying the matter he “will not take part in any witch-hunts or incitement of one group against another”.
At the same time, he repeatedly emphasized his lack of trust in the source of these reports and, in his opinion, its lack of credibility.
Shifting the problem onto doctors
He quickly moved on to the issue of those who should be interested in quickly clarifying one of the threads of the case – namely the high earnings of medical professionals. At this point, he referred to doctors, the declining trust in them, and their high salaries.
“I very much want not only to clarify this situation, but also – without unnecessary emotions – to ensure that there is no incitement against doctors, because that would be something catastrophic – to rebuild the system as quickly as possible so that situations that make one’s blood run cold do not occur. It is in the best interest of doctors to bring the situation in healthcare to an acceptable new normal as soon as possible”, he added.
In doing so, he effectively shifted responsibilities onto medical professionals that in fact lie with the government and public institutions, which should be responsible for managing the healthcare system.