Polish health minister faces resignation calls amid Warsaw South Hospital scandal

A scandal at Warsaw's South Hospital has erupted after former Koalicja Obywatelska (KO) councilor and doctor Dawid Kacprzyk was found to have created an unofficial fast‑track admission line for KO politicians and their families. Kacprzyk, who earned about 1.6 million zł in public‑hospital contracts, resigned from KO and his council seat, and the hospital terminated his contract. Prosecutors are now investigating the case, including allegations of falsified medical records and fatal errors in emergency care.

Opposition figures, including Confederation MEP Ewa Zajączkowska‑Hernik, warned that the affair could threaten the ruling coalition and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The health minister, Jolanta Sobierańska‑Grenda, has been criticised for a slow response. A United Surveys poll for WP found that 50 % of Poles think she should resign, while a SW Research poll for Wprost showed 44.5 % of respondents want Warsaw mayor Rafał Trzaskowski to step down over the scandal. Public sentiment varies sharply along partisan lines.

The affair has sparked calls for greater transparency in public‑sector medical contracts and for reforms in the health system, as indicated by a recent UCE Research poll commissioned by Onet, where 22 % of respondents supported full public disclosure of medical contracts and 17 % favored banning private practice for doctors in public hospitals.