Health Ministers agree countries need to work together to tackle problems in health sector

The Czech Republic and Slovakia are looking to tackle problems in the health sector together, the health ministers for both countries confirmed following talks on Monday. Outstanding issues in both countries include a shortage of doctors and nurses, many of whom seek better pay and conditions abroad. Health Minister Svatopluk Němeček and his Slovak counterpart Tomáš Drucker also discussed a joint approach in dealing for example with pharmaceutical companies to secure more advantage prices for medicine. On July 1, Slovakia will take up the EU presidency; Health Minister Drucker said that the availability of more expensive patented medicines, the issue of antimicrobial resistance and the lack of vaccination of contagious diseases would be issues focussed on during Slovakia’s tenure.

Author: Jan Velinger