I never thought I would write that I feel sorry for former Minister Varga. It was truly sad to watch him in the ambush prepared by HRT, between ministerial successor Nakić and representatives of hospital doctors, and even nurses.
Nakić is abolishing Varga’s projects (Program Plus and 72 Hours) because they were politically motivated, claiming that waiting lists have lengthened, and the media unconditionally accepts this as a given. The new minister emphasizes the increased number of patients on waiting lists, but conceals the fact that waiting times have decreased. The truth is that Program Plus reduced the number of ‘waiting days’ from 77 million days to 73.5 million days. Clearly, this was one of Varga’s measures that changed established practices and shook the medical lobby. However, doctors can breathe a sigh of relief. Inter-party rivalry is merely a sign of the trend we will witness in this mandate. The proclaimed štednja with standards and above-standard services could be passed on to the backs of poor patients. This evokes the logic whereby the left pushes for social welfare, while the right favors the wealthy.
However, the main beneficiaries here will still be – doctors on the side. The poor souls complain about overtime and the increasing workload (što Varga tried to impose on them) and question the treatment they can offer when so exhausted. Fatigue is less, and concentration is greater when going abroad or when working in a private arrangement in the afternoon. Fortunately for all of them, with the slower pace that Nakić is restoring, they will be able to work longer, more dedicatedly, and better − in the afternoon side jobs in private practices, which will now have more work. And private practitioners do not work pro bono or through HZZO. Hippocrates is Hippocrates, but money is money. And I fear that the medical lobby could turn into a medical mafia.
