Only 3.8 percent of outpatient facilities linked to eHealth so far

Only about 3.8 percent of all outpatient facilities in Slovakia and 13 percent of hospitals have already been connected to the eHealth system two months before it is supposed to be officially launched. It is currently functioning in a pilot phase. "We have some 236 hospitals, polyclinics, sanatoriums, medical and spa facilities and other health facilities which are currently in the process of connecting to the system," said Soňa Valášíková, a spokeswoman for the National Health Information Center (NCZI) quoted by the TASR press agency. The system which requires all health care providers to store patients' data in standard and centralized electronic health records was supposed to be launched about 5 years ago but it was delayed several times. It has exceeded its budget, amidst the threat of penalties imposed both by the European Union which provided part of the funds and the national watchdogs.