VILNIUS - President Gitanas Nauseda expects Lithuania's new health minister to focus on shortening waiting times for medical services and reducing inequality in healthcare.
The president's expectations were outlined following his meeting with Marija Jakubauskiene, the Social Democrats' candidate for health minister, on Monday.
"The discussion was intense and very productive, with numerous systemic issues formulated for the candidate, because we all understand that serious changes are needed in healthcare," Irena Segaloviciene, Nauseda's chief economic and social policy advisor, told a news conference.
"Not all of those questions were fully answered, but it is very important to note that the candidate demonstrated a very clear willingness to work in a team with the stakeholder groups and to listen," she added.
According to Segaloviciene, the president set out a number of expectations for the prospective health minister.
"First and foremost, reducing waiting times for medical services," the advisor said, adding that Nauseda expects the new minister "not only to set an abstract goal but to commit to a specific indicator".
Another expectation, Segaloviciene said, is tackling inequality in the healthcare system.
"Today, we have a situation in Lithuania where (...) people pay out of pocket for nearly 32 percent of healthcare costs, compared to 23 percent in Estonia and less than 20 percent in other countries like Germany and the Czech Republic," she said.
The advisor noted that the World Health Organization recommends keeping this percentage at 15 percent.
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