Polish PM to Meet Health Fund Chiefs Over Hospital Irregularities

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is scheduled to meet with the presidents of the National Health Fund (NFZ) early next week. The meeting aims to tackle persistent problems within the healthcare system, particularly those highlighted by recent irregularities discovered at the Southern Warsaw Hospital.

The discussions are expected to center on finding solutions to systemic issues that have led to concerning situations, such as those involving the Southern Warsaw Hospital and physician Dawid Kacprzyk. Proposals from experts and medical professionals, including limits on doctors' earnings and working hours, as well as caps on hospital budgets for salaries, are likely to be on the agenda.

A key potential instrument to be discussed is a new law that would empower the Agency for Medical Technology Assessment and Tariffication to verify doctors' earnings. This verification could be based on their PESEL identification number or professional license. The proposed legislation is currently undergoing review in the Senate, with the possibility of a report on doctors' earnings being available as early as October if enacted.

The controversy surrounding the Southern Warsaw Hospital gained public attention after reports revealed that Dr. Dawid Kacprzyk, a coordinator at the hospital's emergency department, earned over 1.6 million Polish zloty last year. Kacprzyk, who also served as a Civic Coalition councilor, allegedly received payment for work he did not perform. Following these revelations, he returned half a million zloty and resigned from his political position. The prosecutor's office is investigating the matter, and Prime Minister Tusk has vowed to take a firm stance against any potential wrongdoing.