The prime minister's words that "the only goal will be to improve the situation of patients, not doctors" have caused consternation in the medical community. Does this mean that so far the ministry's goal has been to improve the situation of doctors at the expense of patients? If so, the effects of this "pro-doctor policy" remain unnoticed.
Health does not tolerate populism
Published July 24, 2025 08:37
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On the occasion of the announcement of the new restructured government, words came from the prime minister: "The only goal [of the health ministry] will be to improve the situation of patients and, I will say brutally, not to improve the situation of doctors."
In the medical community, this has caused bewilderment and, in some cases, bitterness. Because has the ministry's goal so far been to improve the situation of doctors, not patients? If so, according to the OZZL Residents' Agreement, doctors have not felt this policy, and the only real improvement in the working conditions of medical staff in recent years has been the result of protests and the determination of the environment, not goodwill gestures from successive ruling teams.
The residents emphasize that those knowledgeable about the functioning of health care systems know that it is impossible to take care of the well-being of patients without taking care of an educated, rested and dignified medical staff. In their view, the well-being of the patient is inextricably linked to the well-being of doctors, nurses and all health care workers. And reaching for the rhetoric of opposing the interests of patients and doctors is evidence of the lack of a real strategy for reforming health care. Representatives of the Residents' Agreement assess that such a narrative may indicate a lack of recognition of key system problems and a lack of a coherent vision for its development.
They note with regret that in such an atmosphere the position of Minister of Health is being taken over by Jolanta Sobierańska-Grenda. Nevertheless, they declare their readiness to cooperate and give credit and hope that the new minister understands the importance of medical staff in the health care system and will be open to a substantive dialogue.
The OZZL Residents' Agreement reminds that their priorities remain:
- High-quality education for doctors,
- work and patient safety,
- decent employment conditions for medical workers, especially those entering the profession.
Source: Residents' Agreements of the OZZL
