Slovak Government Officials Meet to Address Hospital Crisis Following Audit Revealing Billion-Euro Debt

Slovakia's prime minister, parliament speaker, and president met for the first time to discuss the country's hospital crisis following a shocking audit that revealed state hospitals carry debts exceeding one billion euros. The audit, conducted by the Health Ministry and coordinated by consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers, examined five major state hospitals and documented severe financial problems. Health Minister Kamil Šaško warned of painful changes ahead as the government grapples with the healthcare system's mounting financial crisis. While the full audit results were not disclosed at the conference, details were later shared by opposition MP Jana Bittó Cigániková from the liberal Freedom and Solidarity party on social media. The unprecedented joint meeting of Slovakia's three top officials underscores the severity of the healthcare system's financial collapse, which threatens the stability of medical services in the Central European nation.