Doctors end protest after reaching agreement with NFZ

Doctors have refused to open their family clinics since the beginning of the year, because the NFZ was not able to clearly state how they would be paid and financed. Although no contracts with the Fund have been signed yet, the protesters agreed to open their practices and treat patients on the same regulations that were in force in 2003. Meanwhile, Krzysztof Panas announced during a press conference that the execution of the agreement between the Health Minister and family doctors affiliated with the Porozumienie Zielonogórskie alliance, will only be possible if necessary funds will be found, adding that the NFZ has no chance of financing the agreement by itself. Health Minister Sikorski told the press that an additional sum of around zł. 350 million will be needed for this purpose, and therefore a significant amendment to the financial plans of NFZ will have to be made. (Gazeta Wyborcza, p. 1) A.K.