Public Dissatisfaction Mounts Over Government Handling of Southern Hospital Scandal

A new SW Research survey for Onet reveals that 42.9 percent of Poles disapprove of the government’s response to the ongoing scandal involving Warsaw’s Southern Hospital, while only 25.8 percent express support.

Government Response Under Scrutiny

The scandal at Southern Hospital has escalated beyond a local healthcare issue, raising concerns about the state’s management of the public health crisis. Survey results indicate that 42.9 percent of respondents view the actions of Donald Tusk’s government negatively following revelations about the facility.

Conversely, 25.8 percent of those polled approve of the cabinet’s response. Furthermore, 20.6 percent of participants remain undecided, while 10.7 percent stated they are unaware of the situation surrounding the hospital.

Irregularities in Staff Earnings

Initial public outcry focused on the earnings of Dawid Kacprzyk, who served as the hospital’s emergency department coordinator and maintained political ties to the Civic Coalition. Reports indicate he allegedly worked 3,976 hours in 2025, earning 1.6 million PLN.

Following these revelations, Southern Hospital terminated its cooperation with Kacprzyk, and he subsequently resigned from his local council seat. Investigations also revealed he had allegedly worked an additional 732 hours at Bródnowski Hospital, later returning 80,000 PLN for hours that had been inconsistently logged.

Allegations of VIP Favoritism

The prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into allegations of preferential treatment for Civic Coalition politicians at the hospital’s emergency ward. There are suspicions that some patients may have bypassed standard medical triage based on political connections rather than health urgency.

This development has drawn sharp criticism from both political opponents and medical professionals, who demand transparency and adherence to strict, impartial medical protocols within all public health institutions.

Controversy Over Morgue Operations

The most severe allegations involve the hospital morgue, where coordinator Artur Habowski reportedly collected informal fees for the release of bodies and funeral services. Reports suggest that fees were charged for essential procedures, including dressing and embalming, as well as referrals to specific funeral parlors.

Former hospital directors cited by media sources claim that such practices were strictly prohibited, describing the activities as a form of illegal trade involving deceased patients.

Broader Crisis in Healthcare Trust

The Southern Hospital scandal reflects a deepening distrust in the public healthcare system. Another Onet poll found that 62.1 percent of respondents do not believe the government will improve the sector, compared to 21.3 percent who remain optimistic.

The Regional Medical Council has addressed the situation, arguing that hospitals must remain free from political influence. They emphasize that individuals should choose between active political engagement and the management of public healthcare entities.