Group of scholars and scientists backs dual practice restrictions
Ljubljana, 28 October - A group of well-known intellectuals working in the humanities or science has expressed support for the government's proposal to restrict doctors' dual practice, seeing it as an attempt to safeguard and strengthen public healthcare.
The Academy of Sciences for the Sustainable Development of Slovenia supports the government's efforts to make a clear demarcation between the public and private health systems.
If the bill is passed, public healthcare doctors would no longer be allowed to work for private health providers on the self-pay market.
The organisation, which was founded a year ago and brings together more than 50 university professors, scientists and researchers, also supports doctors in their efforts to get a fair pay for their work.
But the group calls on them not to sacrifice their moral principles about caring for all patients for their personal ambitions.
The organisation also urged the government to adopt additional legislative amendments to ensure, among other things, the levelling of the playing field between public health institutions and concessionaires when it comes to obligations such as 24-hour emergency care, ambulance services and other emergency health services.
One of their proposals would also ensure funds for performance bonuses for public healthcare doctors.
Regarding quality in healthcare, they propose the establishment of a quality management system for all healthcare providers. They also call for measures to prevent any security incidents in healthcare institutions.
The organisation, which aims to point to environmental and social risks, includes sociologists Rudi Rizman and Maca Jogan, philosopher Tine Hribar, astrophysicist Andreja Gomboc and biochemist Vito Turk.