The reform of the health care financing system at the secondary and specialized care levels was successfully launched in April 2020, but adjustments by the government could affect its nature and financial sustainability, according to the EU’s annual Association Implementation Report.
“The COVID-19 pandemic, combined with frequent changes in the leadership of the Ministry of Health have had an impact on the reform in the health sector. Healthcare financing reform was successfully rolled out at secondary and specialized care level in April 2020, but subsequent adjustments by the government may affect its character and financial sustainability. The President and the Minister of Health have vowed to review reform details and stretch its implementation, temporarily reintroducing subsidies the Central Procurement Agency has become the main vehicle for medical procurements, while the creation of an adequate regulatory framework for medical procurement is still in progress. The Ministry issued an order regulating medical procurement, which restricts the independence of the Agency. The Agency is involved in procurement of less than a half positions foreseen in the budget. In September, the Ministry of Health started to form a supervisory board for the Central Procurement Agency,” the report said.
“Reforms to the public health system have not progressed, with relevant legislation pending finalization and further needs to strengthen the capacity of the Public Health Centre in epidemiological surveillance and disease prevention. As a result of COVID-19 discussions on re-organization of the Public Health Center was delayed. In late September 2020, the Parliament approved the Law on blood safety in compliance with relevant EU Directives,” the EC said.
