Polish health sector reforms and rehabilitation

In late July 2026, Poland’s National Health Fund announced a draft regulation aimed at ending the practice of “traveling doctors” by requiring surgeries to be performed in dedicated departments with continuous postoperative care. The proposal also called for a 40 % increase in funding for general surgery procedures such as bilateral inguinal hernia repair and highlighted the importance of comprehensive physiotherapy after joint replacement.

A few days later, in early August, the focus shifted to local implementation of musculoskeletal injury rehabilitation. Zeromski Hospital in Kraków launched a municipal‑funded program to prevent and treat musculoskeletal disorders, offering structured physiotherapy sessions for trekkers and other patients with knee, ankle or lower‑back injuries. The program, fully financed by the Kraków City Municipality, emphasizes functional assessments, gradual return to activity, and strict attendance rules.

Together, the snapshots illustrate a broader move within Poland’s health system: national policy changes to improve surgical continuity and funding are complemented by municipal initiatives that provide targeted rehabilitation services for musculoskeletal injuries.