New Health Minister

President Peter Pellegrini appointed Kamil Sasko (Hlas-SD) as Slovakia's new Health Minister on Thursday, following the resignation of Zuzana Dolinkova. Sasko, previously the Economy Ministry state secretary, replaces Dolinkova, who stepped down citing a lack of support and dissatisfaction with the recent consolidation package. Pellegrini emphasized the frequent turnover of health ministers, noting the sector's challenges and its critical impact on public health. He urged Sasko to prioritize patient care and address the concerns of health workers, who are unhappy with the impact of budget cuts. Pellegrini wished Sasko success and encouraged him to work with respected professionals. Sasko, acknowledging the challenges ahead, expressed his commitment to fostering cooperation within the healthcare system and pushing forward reforms to improve the sector.

"My goal is to calm down the situation so that the medical workers will remain in the system, so that there is someone to take care of our patients. I will closely monitor and close all the loopholes through which these resources often leak," he said. As he put it, the "red light is flashing the most" for him.

The president also thanked Dolinkova for her contributions, particularly her focus on long-term health projects.

Source: TASR