National Health Program extended. What will the amendment change and why is it necessary?

The current NPZ expires at the end of 2025, and work is underway in parallel to amend the Public Health Law. The new legislation will require the preparation of another, completely new NPZ - but only after it is enacted.

In this situation, the best solution is to extend the current program by one year, instead of creating a new transition document.

Challenges: from pandemics to demographics

Although the health situation of Poles is gradually improving thanks to better living conditions, increased health literacy and systemic reforms, the list of current problems is long. Among them:

• The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,
• A decline in the number of births,
• The dynamic growth of the post-working age population,
• multi-disease and disability,
• growing health inequality,
• High morbidity and mortality from diseases of civilization.

The project's justification notes that the cost of treating diseases of civilization is many times greater than outlays for their prevention. That is why it is so important to strengthen the public's health literacy and promote pro-healthy lifestyles.

What changes are envisioned in the NPZ?

The proposed amendment provides for both updating tasks and institutional adjustments resulting from reforms and reorganizations in the public administration.

Key assumptions:

• Maintaining most of the existing tasks,
• Updating the catalog of implementers,
• housekeeping changes resulting from the reorganization of the institution,
• Introducing new interventions that respond to current public health challenges.

The NPZ will continue to be based on cooperation between the government, local governments and institutions designated in the Public Health Law. The extension of the program is in accordance with Article 9 of that law, which stipulates a minimum five-year period for the NPZ.

How do other countries do it?

The draft emphasizes that OECD and EU countries have extensive activities in public health, but their models vary and cannot be directly transferred to Poland.

The organization's strategic documents - including Health 2020 and more recent strategies on chronic diseases and health workforce resources - remain the primary reference for all WHO members.

The NPZ is also in line with EU and global development goals, including the UN's Agenda 2030 and its "five Ps": People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. Many of its goals are embedded in the area of public health, including efforts to promote health equity, a healthy environment and the prevention of chronic diseases.

Source: RCL