April 2025 | Bratislava – March marked a pivotal shift in Slovakia’s approach to health, placing the patient at the center of dialogue, policy, and practice. A series of events throughout the month underscored growing political will, expert collaboration, and public engagement on key health issues—from obesity awareness to oncology innovation and the strengthening of community-based care.
Minister Acknowledges World Obesity Day for the First Time
For the first time in Slovakia’s history, the Minister of Health, Kamil Šaško, publicly commemorated World Obesity Day (WOD) on March 4, 2025. The recognition came in the form of a video message shared on the Ministry’s Facebook page, with participation from health experts. The initiative signals a new era of awareness and willingness to address obesity as a serious health condition requiring coordinated action.
“Patient First” – A New Standard, Not Just a Slogan
Later in the month, the Ministry of Health and the Association for the Protection of Patients’ Rights (AOPP) co-hosted a milestone workshop titled “PATIENT FIRST” on March 28, 2025. The session opened with remarks from Minister Šaško, who stressed the importance of continuing these conversations on a regular basis.
Topics addressed included:
- Ensuring a parent’s presence during a child’s hospital stay
- Modernising adult preventive examinations
- Streamlining drug policy processes
A concluding press conference underscored a shared commitment: “The patient must come first – not as a slogan, but as a principle translated into everyday practice.”
AOPP extended gratitude to the many leaders and experts who contributed to the dialogue, including:
- Minister Kamil Šaško
- Minister Gabriel Galgóci, Advisor to the Minister of Health
- State Secretaries Ladislav Slobodník and Michal Štofka
- Martina Vulganová, Director of the Health Implementation Agency
- Jozef Miklošek, Commissioner for Children
- Vladimíra Marcinková, Member of the National Assembly
Oncology Innovation in Focus at the “Visionaries” Conference
AOPP’s Dr. Hana Vrabcová contributed to the “Visionaries – 180 Minutes in Oncology” conference, hosted by the Research and Innovation Agency under the Ministry of Construction and Investment Development. Her presentation, part of the “MISSION HEALTH” initiative, explored the future of oncology in Slovakia, touching on:
- Expanded cancer screening (prostate, lung, stomach)
- Early detection strategies
- The importance of integrated care
Swiss-Slovak Cooperation: Prevention Takes Centre Stage
AOPP representatives Dr. Elena Marušáková and Dr. Hana Vrabcová also attended the opening conference of the Swiss-Slovak Health Programme in Trenčín on April 1, 2025. The event highlighted:
- Prevention of non-communicable diseases
- Health promotion at the local level
- Cross-national collaboration and knowledge sharing
AOPP praised the programme’s emphasis on patient involvement, local government engagement, and community-based approaches to improving health literacy.
A Clear Direction for Slovak Health Policy
These recent events illustrate a decisive move toward patient-centered healthcare in Slovakia—where prevention, accessibility, and dignity are guiding principles. The engagement of political leaders, health experts, and civil society reflects a collective ambition to make “patient first” more than a policy aspiration—it’s becoming the foundation for sustainable change.