Health care sector trade unionists from south-eastern Poland are protesting against the way the government divides up money for medical services in the country. 

More than a hundred protesters picketed in front of a branch of the National Health Fund in the south-eastern city of Rzeszow. They held up banners saying, “You have no right to make deals with our health”.  

A delegation of trade unionists met with the National Health Fund regional authorities. And it appears they can count on the Fund’s regional branch’s support. Both sides agree that the government’s algorithm used to share out funds is wrong and unjust. The Rzeszow region received about 400 million zlotys (96 million zlotys) less than the average in other regions. 

The protesters are appealing to Health Minister Ewa Kopacz not to accept next year’s National Health Fund’s budget, which is based on the same method, assigning more money to wealthier regions.

“According to that rule, the poor needs less money than the rich. This is our scream of despair, we are fighting for a decent life,” trade unionists in Rzeszow say. 

Similar demonstrations were held in other parts of the region, in Kielce and Lublin.  

MPs are preparing a draft to change what the protestors say is the unfair situation, but it is unclear whether it will come into force until the end of the year. (jg/pg) 

Source: PAP