The reality in the healthcare system is entirely different from the promises made by Tusk’s government. It is inconceivable that patients are having their access to specialist doctors and diagnostic tests restricted, and that the “Good Meal” program is being cut. Under such conditions, the healthcare system cannot possibly function properly, says Waldemar Kraska, PiS senator and former deputy health minister, in an interview with Niezalezna.pl.
Everyone can see what the Polish healthcare system looks like. One might ironically say that you need to be “in horse-like health” to be sick under such conditions. Poles are noticing this, so the results of a survey conducted by Opinia24 for RMF FM come as no surprise. According to the poll, 41% of respondents stated that during the two years of Donald Tusk’s government, the conditions patients face in clinics and hospitals have worsened.
Only 7% of those surveyed say they see any improvement, while 38% have noticed no change. Another 14% cannot form an opinion.
The conclusion is very simple: most Poles are disappointed with the state of healthcare over the last two years. These sentiments are particularly strong among older voters and among those opposed to the government. At the same time, very few notice any improvements in the functioning of clinics and hospitals.
“Patients May Not Live to See Their Appointment”
Niezalezna.pl asked Waldemar Kraska to comment on the newly published poll.
“Using medical terminology, it’s already too late for a drip for the Polish healthcare system. What is needed is urgent resuscitation,” he says.
“If we recall the promises made by the current government—that access to hospitals would be broad, that everything would be unlimited—the current reality is completely different. Access to specialist doctors and basic diagnostics will be restricted. This includes MRIs and CT scans. Waiting lists for specialists are already the longest in recorded history, especially when we look at the past two years. This is simply inconceivable,” Senator Kraska adds.
“This equipment will stand unused because if a hospital does not have a contract, it will not perform these tests. This directly harms patients. Waiting six months for an examination—for example, for an oncology patient—can end tragically, as the patient may simply not live to see it,” he warns.
Another example is the removal of funding for the Good Meal program. “Proper nutrition in hospitals is an element of therapy for patients with various conditions. If this money disappears, meals will be significantly worse. Not every patient has a family that can bring them food. These people are being condemned to poorer nutrition and, effectively, to starvation,” he adds.
“Ad-hoc measures accomplish nothing. The entire system must be rebuilt,” the former deputy minister emphasizes.
“This Solves the Problem Only Temporarily”
He also commented on the decision of President Karol Nawrocki, who signed an amendment to the Medical Fund Act, providing additional support to the National Health Fund (NFZ).
“This will resolve the situation, but only briefly. Next year, the financial gap in the system will grow—conservatively speaking—to 23 billion złoty. I do not know how the healthcare system is supposed to function under such conditions. Patients continue to fall ill, the costs of medical care keep rising, and new technologies and medications—which also cost money—are being introduced. We want to treat patients as broadly and as well as possible. Without funding, this will not be possible,” Waldemar Kraska concludes.