Czech Republic Ministry of Health announces major healthcare reform

The Czech Ministry of Health is preparing a major reform package involving the amendment of four key laws to transform the national healthcare system. Minister Adam Vojtěch announced that a proposal regarding healthcare electronization, which includes the introduction of mandatory e-requests (eŽádanky), is expected to be submitted to the government by the end of September.

These e-requests are intended to help monitor waiting times for examinations and are expected to be functional by mid-next year, with mandatory electronic documentation required by January 1, 2029. Other planned reforms include prohibiting deficit spending in health insurance, strengthening the competencies of nurses, and establishing a new National Institute of Public Health.

In conjunction with these reforms, a new version of the EZKarta mobile application has been released. The app allows users to view laboratory results and track eligibility for preventive screening programs, such as cancer screenings. Patient organizations have welcomed the digital access to medical records but have emphasized the need for robust data security.