The impending agreement between doctors, unions, and the Ministry of Health in the Czech Republic holds hope for resolving the ongoing protest by medical professionals. While the Medical Chamber plans to urge its members to withdraw overtime notices once the agreement is signed, the delay has already led to irreversible postponements of some non-urgent surgeries. Although these delays may not pose an immediate threat to life, the prolonged waiting period for procedures such as hernias and gallbladders can significantly impact patients’ quality of life.

Patients are currently facing several months of waiting for non-urgent surgeries, and the situation may worsen if the agreement is not signed promptly. Surgeon and chairman of the coloproctological section of the surgical society, Julius Örhalmi, highlighted the burdensome consequences for patients, emphasizing the decreased quality of life and the need for adherence to long-term dietary regimes.

The potential worsening of a patient’s condition due to delayed surgeries is a significant concern. For instance, gallbladder colic or the migration of gallstones into the bile ducts may occur, necessitating acute care and further interventions. As a result of the doctors’ adherence to labor codes during their protest, hospitals have already limited care and postponed procedures to the early months of the next year.

Orthopedists face specific challenges, depending on the availability of anesthesiologists during surgeries. The expiration of overtime has led to restrictions in the ARO department, raising concerns about the postponement of joint replacement surgeries. Martin Repko, head of the Orthopedic Clinic FN Brno, warned that delaying such replacements could deepen the destruction of affected joints and complicate future surgical procedures.

Persistent pain and reduced mobility due to delays in orthopedic procedures can contribute to worsened organ function, posing risks to overall patient health. Prolonged delays may reach a point where patients are no longer suitable candidates for certain procedures, considering factors like the severity of other diseases and the ability to undergo anesthesia during surgery. As the medical community awaits the agreement’s signature, the focus remains on mitigating the potential adverse effects on patient well-being caused by postponed surgeries.

Article by Prague Forum