Polish rheumatologist Bartosz Fiałek quits public system over rejected 4000‑zł daily offer

Dr. Bartosz Fiałek, a well‑known rheumatologist from the Tricity area, announced that he is leaving Poland’s public health system. He cited disappointment with the system’s functioning and the inability to implement changes, noting that his request to discuss health policy with the prime minister had not succeeded.

Fiałek applied for a position at the Pomorskie Centrum Reumatologiczne in Sopot, offering a contract of 4000 zł gross per day – the highest bid among eight candidates – with a minimum of 21 patients per day, at least 7 hours of work, two days a week. The competition committee did not select his offer, prompting him to publish the cost breakdown, which equated to about 190 zł per patient. He said, “Nie udało się” (“It didn’t work”).

Following the rejection, Fiałek plans to open a private practice. His proposal sparked public debate about doctors’ remuneration; the spokesperson of the Polish Medical Chamber noted that the average monthly salary for doctors is about 9813 zł, meaning Fiałek’s plan could yield roughly one million zł annually.