The news in Czech
V České republice je problém s nedostatkem praktických lékařů. Asi 920 000 lidí, včetně 131 000 dětí, nemá lékaře. Velká část lékařů je starší 60 let, ale trénuje se 1 667 nových doktorů. V některých oblastech, jako je Aš, je nedostatek ještě výraznější . Tam pomáhá nová lékařka, Martina Feninová.
Translation
In the Czech Republic, there is a problem with a shortage of general practitioners. Approximately 920,000 people, including 131,000 children, do not have a doctor. A significant number of doctors are over 60 years old, but 1,667 new doctors are in training. The shortage is particularly pronounced in certain areas, such as Aš, where a new doctor, Martina Feninová, is helping out.
Exercise: Text comprehension
Question 1: How many people in the Czech Republic do not have a general practitioner?
About 920,000 people do not have a general practitioner.
Question 2: What is the age situation of many general practitioners in the Czech Republic?
Many of the general practitioners are over 60 years old.
Exercise: Vocabulary
nedostatek (m.) - shortage
praktický - practical
včetně - including
část (f.) - part
starý - older
výrazný - more pronounced
Read the full story
▌04/11/2024
In a concerning trend affecting healthcare access across the Czech Republic, approximately 920,000 individuals, including 131,000 children, currently lack a general practitioner, according to data from the Ministry of Health. This issue was highlighted in a programme on Czech Television and underscores the challenges faced in securing healthcare services for the public.
The shortage is exacerbated by the fact that around 40% of practicing doctors are over the age of 60, indicating a looming wave of retirements. Health Minister Vlastimil Válek has expressed optimism that the situation will improve over the next few years, pointing out that 1,667 new doctors are currently in training. He anticipates a decrease in the average age of practitioners by the year 2030 as younger doctors begin to enter the field.
However, Peter Šonka, the head of the General Practitioners Union, emphasized the difficulty of attracting new doctors to certain regions. While around 120 doctors complete their qualifications to practice annually, this number is only sufficient if previous years' intake was adequate. Furthermore, the high number of female doctors, who might temporarily leave their roles due to maternity leave, adds another layer of complexity to staffing in the sector.
Czech Republic Faces Shortage of General Practitioners (Illustration)
Šonka has advocated for more residency positions in practices where new graduates could train under experienced doctors. He noted attempts made in the past to increase funding for positions in underserved regions, but these were discontinued due to perceptions of discrimination. He suggests that health insurers or regional governments could play a role in addressing this gap.
The public health insurance system's budget for next year amounts to approximately 530 billion CZK, a significant increase over the past decade. Some, like Iveta Štefanová from the SPD party, argue that before increasing insurance contributions, savings should be found in efficiency and technology-driven improvements.
The regional impact of the GP shortage is especially stark in border towns such as Aš in the Cheb district. This town, like others in the region, struggles with a diminishing workforce and a lack of local doctors. Recently, the withdrawal of a pediatric doctor left prominent gaps in care, pushing parents to travel long distances to secure medical services for their children. Some residents have turned to options as distant as Plzeň for medical care, while others use limited hours of mobile services at nearby hospitals.
In response to this crisis, local authorities in Aš have managed to recruit a new pediatrician, Martina Feninová, who, albeit on a limited schedule, is helping to partially alleviate the problem. Feninová, originally from the area, was motivated to return after learning about the dire state of healthcare from personal connections. Despite her introduction to the practice, long-term solutions still elude the community, whose need for comprehensive and consistent healthcare services continues.
Info: 'Czech Learner News' is a service from 'Let's Learn Czech', where we provide a range of online Czech courses tailored to different learning preferences and levels. Our programme is designed to support learners by offering resources and updates that complement their language studies.
