EP: The deficit of healthcare workers is, according to Slovak MEPs, a problem of the entire EU

Strasbourg – Members of the European Parliament (EP) on Tuesday (Feb 11) in Strasbourg discussed with representatives of the European Commission the European Union’s (EU) needs to ensure an adequate supply of quality workforce in the healthcare sector. Slovak MEPs across the political spectrum unanimously told TASR that this is an issue that Slovakia is also facing.

In the new EP Committee on Public Health (SANT), Slovakia has two MEPs – Veronika Cifrová Ostrihoňová (RE/PS) and Monika Beňová (non-attached/Smer-SD). Both pointed out that according to World Health Organization forecasts, the Union will lack over four million healthcare workers, especially nurses, by 2030, which applies to all member states.

Cifrová Ostrihoňová specified that Slovakia, in addition to the shortage of nurses, is also struggling with structural problems in the form of outdated hospitals, where, according to her, the government fails in drawing structural funds intended for this area. “The recovery plan and EU funds are also for improving hospitals, and since Slovakia does not use them effectively, the infrastructure is also inadequate,” she said, noting that because of this, young doctors are leaving the country.

The MP stated that Slovakia can mostly compensate for the workforce deficit in the sector through Ukrainian employees and added that if healthcare became a “prime minister’s topic,” the government could lead qualified debates about where new workers could come from and how to integrate them into the national system.

Cifrová Ostrihoňová appreciated the concept of a Health Union and also the launch of a three-year “Nursing Action” program in January, thanks to the collaboration between the Eurocommission and the Polish presidency in the EU Council, aimed at the nurse shortage, offering tailor-made solutions for each member country.

Beňová emphasized that Slovakia struggles primarily with the issue of missing nurses, and the forecasts for the future are not positive. She welcomed the establishment of a committee in the EP specifically focused on healthcare, because this issue needs to be addressed more thoroughly, as the number of mental and neurotic illnesses and autism is also increasing in Europe, which hasn’t received much attention until now. “We have a big problem with medical personnel and doctors; we are buying them from each other. What are the options? The EU can ask member states to invest more in education, even for people from third countries, and simplify the diploma recognition processes for people from third countries,” she explained.

Katarína Roth Neveďalová (non-attached/Smer-SD) pointed out that this is also a problem because “Europe is aging” and people are living longer lives, which creates a new burden on healthcare. According to her, the EU can assist its members with programs to support healthcare workers’ education and professional qualifications, also for citizens from third countries with appropriate education.

EP Vice-President Martin Hojsík (RE/PS) reminded that MEPs pushed the Eurocommission to the EU4Health program during the coronavirus pandemic. Although competencies in this area lie with member states, the EP continues efforts to ensure better remuneration for healthcare workers and faster diploma recognition. “We are trying to help where our competences allow us,” he noted. He considers pan-European cooperation beneficial when states collectively negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for better prices. In the case of Slovakia, he criticized the fact that it refused to engage in international anti-pandemic cooperation. (February 12)