Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 19/06/2026 05:38 · 27 articles added
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Slovak High School Students Launch Fundraiser to Fix Leaking School Roof

High school students in Slovakia have initiated a fundraising campaign to repair their school's leaking roof after being forced to attend classes while holding umbrellas to stay dry. The gymnasium's deteriorating roof has created conditions where students must protect themselves from water dripping into classrooms during lessons. Dominican nuns have contributed to the student-led fundraising effort to address the infrastructure problem that the school administration has been unable to resolve through regular channels.

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Society

Court Rejects Appeal for Man Who Killed Partner by Throwing Her from Balcony

A Slovak court has rejected an appeal for a new trial from a man serving 17.5 years in prison for murdering his partner by throwing her from a balcony. The defendant had traveled from Ružomberok to Košice to present his case, but the court denied his request to reopen the proceedings. The case involved a domestic violence murder where the perpetrator fatally pushed his partner from a balcony, resulting in the lengthy prison sentence that remains upheld.

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Society

Slovak Education Ministry Records Over 33,000 Primary School Applications

The Slovak Education Ministry has registered more than 33,000 applications for primary school enrollment, which were submitted to over 43,000 schools across the country. The applications represent part of Slovakia's annual school enrollment process, where parents submit requests for their children to attend specific primary schools. Slovakia's education system requires parents to formally apply for primary school places, with the ministry tracking these applications as part of the administrative process for the upcoming academic year.

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Society

Slovak Hospitals Stop Operating After 3 PM Due to Nursing Shortage Despite Adequate Doctor Numbers

Slovak hospitals have virtually ceased performing surgeries after 3 PM due to critical nursing shortages, despite having sufficient numbers of doctors available. Prime Minister Robert Fico, President Peter Pellegrini, and Health Minister Kamil Šaško plan to present reform proposals on Thursday for the country's major state hospitals. The hospitals face debts exceeding one billion euros, and Slovakia risks penalties from the European Commission for late payment of invoices. Health Minister Šaško has commissioned audits of five state hospitals to identify potential cost-saving measures and solutions to address the healthcare system's operational and financial crisis.

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Society

Excess Vitamin A Can Cause Serious Liver Damage, Health Experts Warn

Health experts are warning about the dangers of vitamin A overdose, which can cause severe and long-lasting liver damage. While vitamin A plays a crucial role in maintaining eye health, skin condition, and immune system function, consuming excessive amounts of this essential nutrient can lead to serious health consequences. The symptoms of vitamin A toxicity can be dangerous and may have long-term effects on the body, particularly affecting liver function.

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Society

Police Catch Teenager Driving Despite Court Ban After Hit-and-Run Crash

Police apprehended a teenager who was driving under the influence despite being under a court-imposed driving ban. The young driver crashed into a parked vehicle and fled the scene before being caught by authorities. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with enforcement of judicial driving prohibitions, particularly among young offenders who continue to operate vehicles illegally after having their licenses suspended by the courts.

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Society

Construction begins on integrated care center at Levoča hospital

Construction has begun on a new integrated care center at the hospital in Levoča, a town in eastern Slovakia's Spiš region. The new facility will provide expanded medical services under one roof, combining various healthcare specialties to improve patient care coordination. The building is scheduled to open to patients in 2027, representing a significant investment in healthcare infrastructure for the region.

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Society

Slovak Court Reinstates Whistleblower Who Exposed Million-Euro Healthcare Fraud

Mária Koránová, a protected whistleblower, returned to work on April 1 as chief economist at the Košice Emergency Medical Service after a court ordered her reinstatement. Koránová had filed criminal complaints in 2019 alleging multiple economic crimes involving millions of euros at the Košice emergency service. Her employer dismissed her shortly after she submitted the criminal report, leading to legal proceedings that have now resulted in her return to the same position she held before her dismissal. The case highlights Slovakia's ongoing struggles with corruption in public healthcare institutions and the challenges faced by employees who report financial misconduct, despite legal protections for whistleblowers.

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Society

Slovakia confirms five cases of mpox infection

Slovakia has confirmed five cases of mpox, the disease formerly known as monkeypox, according to Bratislava University Hospital. Health authorities report that three of the confirmed cases are epidemiologically linked, suggesting transmission between the patients. The Regional Public Health Authority, which monitors infectious disease outbreaks in Slovakia, is tracking the cases as part of ongoing surveillance efforts for the viral infection that can spread through close contact.

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Society

Slovak WWII Paratrooper Viliam Gérik Executed in 1947 for Betraying Resistance Movement

Viliam Gérik, a Slovak paratrooper who betrayed the World War II resistance movement after being captured by the Gestapo, was executed by hanging on April 29, 1947, at age 26. Before his execution, Gérik wrote farewell letters to his family, including one to his brother Ferko in which he calmly accepted his death sentence and expressed acceptance of his fate. The case highlights the complex legacy of wartime collaboration in Slovakia, where some resistance fighters turned against their comrades after capture by Nazi forces. Gérik had received millions from the Gestapo in exchange for information that compromised Slovak resistance operations during the war.

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Society

Ambulance Service Reinstates Whistleblower After Court Victory and Government Intervention

A whistleblower identified as Koránová has returned to work at Slovakia's emergency medical services after courts ruled in her favor and government officials intervened. The ambulance service initially resisted the court decisions but ultimately backed down following pressure from a government office and minister. The case highlights tensions over whistleblower protections in Slovakia's public health sector, where employees who expose wrongdoing often face retaliation from their employers despite legal safeguards.

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Society

Slovakia Faces Long-Term Demographic Decline as Birth Rates Plummet

Slovakia is experiencing a severe demographic crisis that appears to extend beyond temporary economic shocks, with fundamental changes occurring in younger generations' reproductive patterns. The country's birth rates have declined significantly, suggesting a long-term demographic downturn rather than a short-term crisis. This demographic shift represents a structural change in Slovak society, with younger generations displaying different attitudes and behaviors regarding family formation and childbearing. The demographic decline poses significant challenges for Slovakia's future economic growth, social security systems, and overall societal sustainability as the population ages and shrinks.

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Society

Slovakia Struggles with Anti-Education Sentiment Despite Lack of Leadership Personalities

Slovakia continues to face challenges with a shortage of prominent public figures and leaders, according to commentary on the country's current political and social climate. The analysis suggests that while the nation lacks strong personalities in leadership roles, it has an abundance of individuals opposed to education, science, research, and the arts. This dynamic reflects broader tensions in Slovak society between those who seek to serve and build institutions versus those who prefer to exercise control over citizens rather than respond to their needs.

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Society

Personal advice column addresses family favoritism and emotional manipulation

A Slovak advice column featured a 50-year-old woman seeking guidance about lifelong favoritism from her mother toward her older sister. The woman described how her mother has consistently prioritized her sister throughout their lives, while the sister maintains an unhealthy fixation on their mother and manipulates her. The situation prompted the woman to move to Bratislava in her twenties to escape feelings of being unimportant within the family dynamic. Despite both daughters now having their own families, the woman continues to struggle with her inability to confide in her mother about personal problems due to the persistent favoritism.

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Society

International Roma Day Marks 55th Anniversary of First World Roma Congress

International Roma Day commemorates the 55th anniversary of the First World Roma Congress, which took place in Britain in 1969. The congress represented a turning point in the political self-determination of the Roma ethnic community, establishing a foundation for organized Roma political representation and advocacy. The annual observance highlights the ongoing efforts of Roma communities worldwide to secure recognition of their rights and cultural identity, building on the legacy of that historic gathering which first brought together Roma representatives from different countries to discuss common challenges and aspirations.

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Society

Slovak state hospitals accumulate debt exceeding one billion euros

Slovak state hospitals have accumulated debt surpassing one billion euros, creating a significant financial crisis in the country's public healthcare system. The massive debt burden has been primarily attributed to memoranda signed in 2022 and 2024, which appear to have contributed to the deteriorating financial situation of these medical facilities. The debt level represents a major challenge for Slovakia's healthcare infrastructure, as state hospitals form the backbone of the country's public medical services, providing essential care to millions of citizens across the nation.

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Society

Slovak fertility doctor warns microplastics severely damaging sperm quality

Microplastics are significantly deteriorating sperm quality, according to gynecologist Michaela Grossová, who specializes in artificial insemination procedures. Grossová noted that concerns about frozen embryo numbers are not limited to Catholics, and emphasized that artificial insemination can be performed without freezing embryos. The comments come amid ongoing debates in Slovakia about reproductive healthcare policies and their implementation.

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Society

Memorial unveiled in Spišské Podhradie for three traffic accident victims

A memorial was unveiled in Spišské Podhradie to commemorate three victims of a traffic accident that occurred two years ago. The memorial was blessed by Bishop František Trstenský during the ceremony. The monument serves as a tribute to those who lost their lives in the tragic incident that took place in the eastern Slovak town.

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