Lithuanian healthcare leaders express concerns over the government's failure to acknowledge the increasing demand for day surgeries, despite evidence of its growth.
Healthcare organizations in Lithuania, represented by leaders like Dr. Kęstutis Štaras, are alarmed by the Ministry of Health's inadequate response to the rising demand for day surgery procedures. Despite indications that the need for these services is increasing yearly, as reported by the State Patient Fund (VLK), there is a lack of acknowledgment and support from the authorities to meet this demand.
Dr. Štaras highlights that patients, particularly those in regional areas, are increasingly valuing their time and opting for day surgeries over traditional, long-term hospital stays. This shift is seen as evidence of societal maturity and a desire to return to normal life quickly after medical procedures. Health authorities are urged to respond appropriately to these changing patient preferences and needs by recognizing the growing importance of day surgeries in the healthcare system.
President Gediminas Ramanauskas of the Lithuanian Hospital Association reiterates that the requests for expanded day surgery services should not be ignored, pointing out that the demand persists despite the health ministry's attempts to categorize certain services as less critical due to perceived declines in usage. The conversation emphasizes a crucial point regarding the ongoing evolution of healthcare needs in Lithuania and the need for regulatory bodies to adapt their policies in response to this evolving landscape.
