Slovenian health officials resign citing professional and ethical disagreements

Resignation statements from former Slovenian Ministry of Health officials Tea Košir and Nataša Vidnar reveal deep-seated professional and ethical conflicts within the ministry. Although the government initially cited personal reasons for their departures in September, the released documents suggest more significant issues.

Tea Košir, the former state secretary, expressed confusion regarding the ministry's direction and a lack of transparency and decisiveness. She raised concerns regarding the National Institute of Public Health, specifically concerning contracts, requests for clarification, and the use of public funds, calling for an impartial audit. Košir also reported receiving threats from outside sources that caused her to feel unsafe.

Nataša Vidnar, the former acting director general of the Directorate for Public Health, resigned for personal, professional, and ethical reasons. She stated that she could no longer align herself with certain decisions or the manner in which the ministry was being managed. Vidnar noted that the conditions required to maintain professional autonomy, responsibility, and integrity were no longer being met.