Health service to be aided by commercialization

Writing off some of the hospital and clinic debts owed to the Social I nsurance Office (ZUS), and commercializing medical centers - are two of the government plans to remedy the ailing health service. Health minister, Leszek Sikorski, has also suggested issuing bonds in order to pay off some of the debts; however, his proposal was not approved by the government. The commercialization of state clinics and hospitals would in fact mean that local governments would take them over and they would become joint stock or limited liability companies. Workers would have the possibility of acquiring a 15% stake. According to the health minister, such a step would enable these institutions to be managed more efficiently. "There is a possibility to influence the sector for which the state is responsible, and there is no likelihood of "wild privatization" taking place," added the minister. Furthermore, in the near future, a network of government-protected hospitals is to be established. (www.rmf.pl) A.C.