Prague, Sept 15 (CTK) – Most Czechs perceive the current situation of healthcare a problem and they fear worsening the quality of and access to it, according to a STEM/MARK public opinion poll for the Czech Doctors’ Chamber (CLK) that the CLK presented at a press conference yesterday.
Up to two-thirds of Czechs say healthcare problems touch them, shows the poll conducted on 1000 adult respondents.
“A crushing majority of citizens fear that they or their close family members may be harmed by the overworked healthcare personnel and most of them demand a rise in healthcare expenditures,” CLK President Milan Kubek said.
Most of the polled or 86 percent also demand that healthcare be preserved on the current level, even if this required further money from the state budget.
Up to 42 percent of respondents face negative consequences caused by the lack of doctors in hospitals. People also realise that the access to healthcare has worsened, for instance, they must wait longer in surgeries or for an ordered treatment.
“It is a clear message sent to political representatives saying they should not deal with pseudo-topics, but should tackle real problems of this country’s citizens. One of the fundamental problems is healthcare,” Kubek pointed out.
Exactly healthcare should become one the the key issues of the upcoming regional elections since decisions on it are often in the regions’ power, he said.
The regional elections will be held on October 7-8 along with the first round of the Senate polls.
