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.