I read on Daily News Hungary that Hungarian hospitals, grappling with a high debt of HUF 93 billion (EUR 246.5 million) in November, face challenges such as surgery delays due to equipment and medicine shortages. The government, led by Gergely Gulyás, aims to settle the debt, projected to reach HUF 130 billion (EUR 344.6 million) by December. Talks are ongoing for pay hikes for Hungarian nurses, with an additional increase planned in March 2024 to raise healthcare professionals’ average base salary to 37% of doctors’ average base salary. The government collaborates with unions to establish regulations, including potential changes to the pay scale. The 2023 budget allocates HUF 50 billion (EUR 131.9 million) for healthcare sector wage hikes.
I hope this debt will not have a serious impact on the supply of medications. One thing that I like about the Hungarian healthcare system is that you the medications are supported by the state, as a result, they are cheap. You can have access to a wide range of antibiotics, painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, anti-epileptic drugs, you name it. Of course, you need prescription for these in case you have a condition. Accessible healthcare is crucial for everyone. The collapse of such support would be devastating.
How do you think the government can effectively manage the debt and ensure the continued availability of necessary medications?