Statement of the Academic Committee of the 1st Faculty of Medicine from December 14, 2010

We find it necessary to comment on the “Thank You, We’re Leaving” campaign organized by medical professionals nationwide.

Doctors and other healthcare professionals in our country offer high quality care that matches the level of the current scientific knowledge even under adverse economic conditions.

The “Thank You, We’re Leaving” campaign is the outcome of unsolved problems of our healthcare system, whose solution has been long postponed, including the system of qualifications and specialization training, overtimes and justified salary-related demands. High quality care is often offered at the cost of doctors and other medical professions.

Departures of doctors from hospitals will affect not only the education of medical students, but also the specialization training and lifelong learning programmes. We also want to point out that the complicated situation in healthcare is unsettling not only for patients, but also for prospective students considering studying medicine.

We appeal to the representatives of the state to address this grave situation as soon as possible and find means of adequate financial compensation of doctors and medical professionals in the health insurance system. We believe that this situation can indeed be solved. According to the most recent figures, around one third of doctors working in hospitals consider leaving or have already quit their jobs. This situation can cause chaos and put medical education and patient care in danger.

High quality healthcare and its availability is one of the priorities of all civilized societies.

Let our moral support for the “Thank You, We’re Leaving” campaign be understood as an expression of understanding and solidarity with our colleagues and a call for a fast remedy of the current situation.

Translation: Jaroslav Švelch