Sanom Hospital in Bratislava announced the death of a colleague known as Miška and has issued an appeal for assistance to support the deceased's family. The private hospital, which provides medical services in the Slovak capital, is mourning the loss of the staff member and has called on the community to help the bereaved family during this difficult time.
The nature of teenage substance abuse in Slovakia has fundamentally changed from traditional patterns, according to psychologists Terézia Valachová and Zuzana Pavlíková from the Prima organization. Classic illegal drugs are being displaced by the non-medical use of prescription medications, synthetic substances purchased through online shops, nicotine products, and energy drinks that have become commonplace tools for performance enhancement. The psychologists warn that teenagers can now purchase dangerous substances through mobile applications as easily as ordering everyday items. This shift represents a significant departure from the drug dealing patterns familiar to previous generations, creating new challenges for parents and authorities in addressing youth substance abuse.
Holocaust survivor Edith Eva Eger transformed her life by beginning university studies in her forties, eventually becoming a leading trauma therapist. The mother of three, who had been working as an accountant, enrolled in psychology at the University of Texas at El Paso and earned her master's degree after five years of study. Four years later, she received a doctorate in clinical psychology and opened her own private practice specializing in treating traumatized clients. Eger's journey from surviving the horrors of Nazi concentration camps to becoming a therapist demonstrates how personal trauma can be transformed into a tool for helping others heal. Her story illustrates the possibility of dramatic career changes later in life and the power of education to create new opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Schools in Slovakia will receive an electronic ethical code for the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The document is designed as a practical manual aimed at defining the boundaries of acceptable AI use in educational settings. The Bratislava Region announced the initiative as educational institutions increasingly grapple with questions about how to appropriately integrate AI tools into teaching and learning processes. The guidelines will help schools establish clear policies on AI usage while ensuring ethical standards are maintained in educational environments.
Tereza Šulc, mother of three-year-old Matýsek, is working to dispel common misconceptions about albinism after her son was diagnosed with the genetic condition. The family initially thought their child was simply blonde, but now understand that Matýsek has severely limited vision and requires constant protection from UV rays through sunscreen to prevent life-threatening complications. Šulc says she had to educate family members, including her great-grandmother who believed albinism always involves red eyes, explaining that this widespread assumption is incorrect. The condition, which affects pigmentation in the skin, hair, and eyes, can cause serious health issues including skin cancer if not properly managed with sun protection.
Gabriela Wascheková struggles to care for her 14-year-old daughter Agátka, who lives with eight different medical conditions including cerebral palsy, ADHD, and severe epilepsy that carries the risk of cardiac arrest. The case highlights how parents in Slovakia are left to navigate complex medical diagnoses largely on their own, with limited support systems available for families dealing with children who have multiple health conditions. Wascheková emphasizes that her daughter's behavior is not the result of poor parenting but stems from serious medical issues that require understanding and specialized care.
A Slovak woman has opened up about losing her brother to heroin addiction sixteen years ago, describing how the tragedy shaped her perspective on addiction and grief. The woman received the devastating news from her father, who had identified the body, and then faced the difficult task of telling their mother. Despite often being angry with her brother about his lifestyle, she says she never judged him or wanted to see him merely as a drug addict. She reflects that while she initially felt guilt after his death, she has come to find meaning in the tragedy over the years, though she acknowledges uncertainty about how her own life might have unfolded differently if he had lived.
Concerns have emerged regarding the construction project for a new hospital in Prešov, with several aspects of the case remaining unclear despite ongoing developments. The rough construction of the hospital facility is scheduled to be completed by winter 2027. Prešov, located in eastern Slovakia, serves as a major regional center, and the hospital project represents a significant infrastructure investment for the area. However, unspecified issues surrounding the project have drawn scrutiny, though details about the nature of these concerns have not been fully disclosed.
A hospital in Prešov has stated that it complies with all legal requirements when handling human remains. The pathology facilities are under the supervision of a regulatory oversight office. The statement comes amid apparent scrutiny of the hospital's practices regarding the treatment of deceased patients' remains.
A German property owner has demolished a protected heritage building in Banská Bystrica, prompting heritage conservation officials to classify the action as a legal violation. The demolition occurred without proper permits from heritage authorities, who are responsible for protecting Slovakia's historic architecture and cultural monuments. Similar cases have emerged in other Slovak cities, including Trenčín, where foreign property owners have demolished protected structures, highlighting ongoing challenges in enforcing heritage protection laws. The incident underscores tensions between property rights and Slovakia's efforts to preserve its historical architectural legacy, particularly in towns like Banská Bystrica that contain significant medieval and Renaissance buildings.
A new zoo is planned for construction in Lužianky near Nitra, covering five hectares and housing approximately 450 animals including birds, reptiles, and bison once completed. The project is being developed by a successful family from the waste management industry. Slovakia currently operates only four public zoological gardens located in Bojnice, Bratislava, Košice, and Spišská Nová Ves, plus one private zoo that specializes in big cats. The new facility would become the country's fifth major zoological attraction, expanding Slovakia's limited zoo infrastructure and providing a new tourist destination in the central Slovak region around Nitra.
Slovak police arrested two suspects and are searching for additional individuals in a large-scale anti-drug operation code-named "Operation Dagger" in western Slovakia. Specialized crime units conducted raids against drug traffickers, with operations continuing at the time of reporting. The criminal case involves charges of particularly serious crimes related to unauthorized production and trafficking of narcotics and psychotropic substances, according to police statements.
The central Slovak city of Banská Bystrica has obtained three million euros in funding to renovate the Golianova Elementary School, a more than 60-year-old building that houses one of the city's largest schools. The reconstruction project will modernize the aging educational facility, which serves a significant number of students in the region. The funding represents a major investment in the city's educational infrastructure, addressing the need to upgrade facilities that have been in use for over six decades.
An elderly Slovak woman lost over €12,000 in a fraud scheme while attempting to sell a bed through a popular online marketplace. The routine sale of an ordinary bed turned into a major financial loss for the senior citizen. Slovak police have issued warnings about fake sellers operating on internet marketplaces, highlighting the growing threat of online scams targeting vulnerable users. The case underscores the risks faced by older internet users who may be less familiar with digital fraud tactics used by criminals on e-commerce platforms.
Trade unions at a major hospital in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city, have sent an open letter demanding a comprehensive financial audit of the facility's operations. The hospital management and the Health Ministry are opposing the workers' call for the in-depth review of financial practices. The dispute highlights growing tensions between healthcare workers and administrators over hospital finances in Slovakia's eastern region, though specific details about the unions' concerns or the reasons for management's resistance were not immediately available.
Over 30,000 Slovak patients suffering from intestinal diseases are being forced to seek medications from neighboring countries as modern treatments remain unavailable domestically. The shortage of accessible medicines is worsening health conditions for those with inflammatory bowel diseases and other chronic intestinal disorders. The crisis highlights broader problems in Slovakia's healthcare system regarding the availability of specialized medications, forcing patients to cross borders or go without necessary treatment that could prevent their conditions from deteriorating.
Artificial intelligence has become a controversial subject at Slovak university graduation ceremonies, with mentions of AI now reportedly met with booing and whistling from audiences. The negative reaction suggests growing tensions within academic circles over the role of AI in education and student work, though the specific incidents or underlying causes behind this backlash remain unclear.
The head of Slovakia's health insurance regulatory authority acknowledged an imbalance exists between financial groups and the state in the healthcare sector, but emphasized their mutual dependence. Ján Palkovič, chairman of the Health Care Surveillance Authority (ÚDZS), the agency that oversees health insurance companies and healthcare financing, said he sees positive movement toward fairer hospital financing. The ÚDZS plays a crucial role in Slovakia's mixed healthcare system, where both public and private insurance companies operate alongside state-funded facilities.
The Za Ľudí party has filed a criminal complaint alleging undignified treatment of deceased patients at a hospital in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. The party raised concerns about hygiene standards at the medical facility. Za Ľudí, a centrist opposition party that was previously part of the governing coalition until 2021, is drawing attention to what it considers serious violations of proper protocols for handling the deceased in the healthcare system.
An unused field station located in Zádielska Gorge will be transformed into a new mountain hut to serve both tourists and nature conservation rangers. The facility, situated in one of Slovakia's protected natural areas, will provide accommodation and services for visitors exploring the gorge while also supporting the work of park staff responsible for protecting the region's natural environment.