Over 100 Polish hospitals are protesting inadequate funding, displaying flags and wearing black to highlight a financial situation threatening patient care nationwide.
Hospital Protests Escalate
More than 100 hospitals across Poland are participating in a protest action, displaying flags and having staff wear black shirts to demonstrate their financial struggles.
Posters with the slogan “Hospital bed will wait, illness won’t” are displayed in the facilities, and staff are actively informing patients about the state of healthcare.
Growing Participation and Planned Demonstrations
Tomasz Paczkowski, Vice President of the Polish Association of District Hospital Employers, announced that more hospitals intend to join the protest, which is scheduled to continue until April 24th.
A joint press conference between the Polish Association of District Hospital Employers and the Polish Association of Counties is planned for Wednesday, April 22nd, to discuss the financial state of the hospitals.
Widespread Losses and Funding Concerns
The vast majority of district hospitals are ending the year with a loss, according to the Polish Association of District Hospital Employers.
The association warns that current healthcare financing policies are leading to a breakdown of facilities and pose a real threat to patient safety, citing delayed settlements for 2025, reduced funding for overruns, and undervalued services.
New Regulations Threaten Services
The association expresses particular concern over new National Health Fund (NFZ) announcements regarding reduced funding for outpatient specialist care and rehabilitation, as well as changes to the reimbursement rules for CT, MRI, gastroscopy, and colonoscopy scans.
New regulations introduced in April implement progressive rates, meaning the NFZ will pay only 60% of the standard price for colonoscopies and gastroscopies performed above a contractually agreed-upon volume.
Government Funding and KPO Funds
The Ministry of Health announced that approximately 4.2 billion złoty will be allocated to district hospitals from the Recovery and Resilience Plan (KPO) for long-term care, oncology, cardiology, and hospital digitization.
The NFZ stated on Monday that it has settled payments with medical facilities, primarily hospitals, for overruns – services performed beyond contracted plans, including medications and chemotherapy.
Consolidation and Efficiency Measures
The Ministry of Health emphasizes that consolidation allows for streamlining of services, reducing duplication, and improving coordination of treatment, ultimately benefiting patients through improved quality and accessibility.
The Ministry also stated it has transferred 4 billion złoty from a reserve fund to the NFZ to cover outstanding overruns from 2025.
Healthcare System Adapts to Demographic Changes
A law reforming the hospital sector came into effect in September of last year, allowing hospitals to consolidate and repurpose departments without risking their contracts with the NFZ.
The Ministry of Health believes consolidation will lead to higher quality care, comprehensive services, shorter waiting times, and better access to modern diagnostics.
Financial Gaps and Systemic Challenges
The Ministry of Health acknowledges a funding gap in the NFZ budget, initially estimated at 23 billion złoty for 2026, now revised to approximately 18 billion złoty.
The Ministry asserts it is adapting the healthcare system to demographic realities and addressing the financial shortfall.
