The Health Sector in the Slovak Republic: Efficiency and Reform

By Victoria Gunnarsson, Sergio Lugaresi, Marijn Verhoeven

September 1, 2007

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Victoria Gunnarsson, Sergio Lugaresi, and Marijn Verhoeven. The Health Sector in the Slovak Republic: Efficiency and Reform, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2007) accessed November 12, 2024

Disclaimer: This Working Paper should not be reported as representing the views of the IMF.The views expressed in this Working Paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the IMF or IMF policy. Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to further debate

Summary

The paper assesses the financial situation of the health sector in the Slovak Republic. It also evaluates the efficiency of health expenditures and service delivery in comparison to the OECD and other new EU member states and suggests avenues for cost recovery and reform. The health sector of the Slovak Republic is plagued by financial problems. To turn around health system finances and achieve larger gains in health outcomes, the efficiency of health spending needs to increase and the mix and quality of real health resources need to be improved. Although Slovak's overall health spending efficiency is on par with that of the OECD, substantial inefficiencies occur in the process of transforming intermediate health inputs into health outcomes. Efficiency may be enhanced by containing the cost of drugs and reducing reliance on hospital care. Also, although cost-effectiveness may be relatively high at present, its sustainability in the future is an issue.

Subject: Expenditure, Health, Health care, Health care spending, Insurance companies

Keywords: Government, Slovakia, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

25
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2007/226
Stock No:

WPIEA2007226
ISBN:

9781451867909
ISSN:

1018-5941

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