Slovakia allocates 68 million euros to Misia Zdravie health program

The Slovak government has allocated 68 million euros through 2030 to the Misia Zdravie program, an initiative designed to integrate scientific research, innovation, and medical practice. Announced by Minister of Education Tomáš Drucker, the program aims to address the issue of preventable deaths in Slovakia, a metric where the country currently performs poorly compared to other European nations.

The initiative focuses on three critical medical fields: oncology, cardiology, and neurology. These areas account for approximately three-quarters of preventable deaths in the country. Experts estimate that approximately 21,000 people die unnecessarily in Slovakia each year.

By fostering collaboration between medical faculties, hospitals, and researchers, the program is expected to reduce preventable deaths by more than five percent. According to Peter Valkovič, head of the neurological clinic at Comenius University, this reduction could save between 800 and 1,000 lives annually.