Israeli health expert highlights Estonia's challenges in elder care and declining birthrate

Dr. Asher Salmon, an Israeli health expert and member of the World Health Organization's executive board, offered an external perspective on Estonia's healthcare system during a visit to Tartu. He commended the country's advanced digital health solutions and its biobank, recognizing them as strengths.

However, Dr. Salmon identified a critical area for improvement: the care of the elderly. He observed that the responsibility for elder care disproportionately falls on families, suggesting a need for more robust public support systems. This observation points to a potential strain on families and a gap in comprehensive care services.

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An external perspective is always useful, as outsiders notice things we overlook.

Beyond elder care, the expert also touched upon Estonia's declining birthrate as a significant challenge. While the article does not elaborate on his specific recommendations for this demographic trend, it is presented as another key issue facing the nation's future.

Dr. Salmon's insights underscore the value of outside viewpoints in identifying both progress and persistent challenges within a national healthcare framework. His comments provide a basis for discussion on how Estonia can further strengthen its social and health support structures.

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our digital solutions and biobank are good, but our weak side is that the care for our elderly is too much left to families.