Slovak government demands heat management plan for hospitals

Following extreme heatwaves in August that left patients and medical staff in difficult conditions, the Slovak government has demanded a concrete plan from Health Minister Kamil Šaško to address temperature control in state hospitals.

The government passed a resolution requiring the Ministry of Health to submit a proposal that includes an implementation plan and alternative financing options. Minister Šaško stated that the goal is to move beyond empty rhetoric toward a systematic and complex solution, noting that air conditioning may not be the only necessary measure.

To address immediate needs, the ministry has been distributing air conditioning units to several facilities. This includes 14 units for the Children's Faculty Hospital in Košice, 30 for the L. Pasteur University Hospital in Košice, and 60 for the University Hospital in Bratislava. The ministry aims to install a total of 250 units across thirteen state hospitals. Additionally, Šaško is advocating for a thorough audit of hospitals to facilitate long-term systemic improvements.