Donald Tusk issues ultimatum over South Warsaw Hospital scandal

Donald Tusk South Warsaw Hospital scandal health ministry ultimatum VIP lounges depoliticisation of public companies

Prime Minister Donald Tusk set a deadline for the health ministry and the National Health Fund (NFZ) to deliver detailed recommendations on systemic problems in Polish hospitals, citing the South Warsaw Hospital (Szpital Południowy) scandal. He warned that failure to meet the Tuesday deadline could lead to personnel actions, including possible dismissals.

The scandal revealed excessive salaries for doctor Dawid Kacprzyk, alleged “VIP lounges” that allowed politicians to bypass queues, illegal body‑trade, and procedural errors such as a mistaken in‑vitro embryo. Mayor Rafał Trzaskowski responded by dismissing two deputy mayors and removing the hospital’s supervisory board. Tusk called for reforms to limit doctors’ earnings, eliminate queue‑jacking practices, and improve hospital administration.

Former Prime Minister Leszek Miller suggested depoliticising government posts, recommending a single secretary‑of‑state per ministry, a view echoed by former President Bronisław Komorowski. The ruling Civic Coalition (KO) also urged depoliticisation of municipal and state‑owned enterprises, pressing for non‑partisan boards in entities such as Orlen. All actions are framed as attempts to restore public trust in the health system and broader public administration.