A promising initiative has emerged in the Czech Republic, proposing the establishment of nurseries and children’s groups within hospitals to facilitate the return to work for medical professionals with young children. The Ministry of Health reveals that there are eight billion unallocated funds in the National Recovery Plan, which hospitals could leverage to create these childcare facilities.

Deputy Minister of Health, Josef Pavlovic, emphasizes the goal of offering methodical support to hospitals and significantly reducing barriers to establishing children’s groups. Discussions are ongoing with representatives from the Ministry of Labour, young doctors, and non-profit organizations to streamline the process. These entities could handle various aspects, including project planning, selection of suitable spaces, securing necessary permits, and ensuring compliance with hygiene standards.

The Ministry aims to encourage both state-run and non-state hospitals to utilize European funds earmarked for this purpose. With eight billion available in the national plan, hospitals are encouraged to participate in drawing these funds to retrofit their premises for the operation of children’s groups, providing a valuable resource for medical professionals with young families.

Children’s groups are favored over traditional nurseries due to their ease of establishment and the ability to accommodate more preschool children, starting from six months of age. This move aligns with the broader objective of increasing capacity and affordability, addressing the unique working hours of women in healthcare professions that may not align with standard nursery operating hours.

Monika Hilšerová, Chairwoman of the Young Doctors Section, suggests that the capacity of existing groups and nurseries in hospitals could be expanded to meet the growing demand. Noting that existing nurseries are often single-class setups accommodating around 20 children, Hilšerová underscores the need to adapt hospital operations to better support the majority of healthcare staff, who are women. The initiative not only contributes to workforce retention but also fosters a more supportive and inclusive environment within the healthcare sector.

Article by Prague Forum