HEALTH DAY is accredited for physicians.​

The mental health of young people is becoming one of the most serious challenges of our time. Slovak Minister of Health Kamil Šaško will present how his ministry intends to support systemic mental health care for children and young people. The discussion will focus on early intervention, better access to specialists, reform of the assessment system, and practical support for families. The panel aims to outline specific steps and measures that will help ensure that every child and their parents receive timely and effective help.

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

Telemedicine in Germany is a rapidly developing field that is fundamentally changing access to healthcare. The legal and regulatory environment supports its expansion, but it also brings new challenges. In everyday medical practice, it is mainly used for consultations, patient monitoring, and remote diagnosis. It brings benefits in the form of more accessible care, more efficient use of time, and better cooperation between specialists. Still, it also faces limitations in terms of personal contact, technical barriers, and data security issues. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated its adoption and demonstrated its potential for the future. Modern trends include the use of artificial intelligence, wearable devices, and integration with electronic health records. German experience shows that telemedicine can improve treatment outcomes and can be a valuable inspiration for Slovakia in shaping strategies for its successful development.

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

Surgical robots, digital platforms, and smart buildings are becoming the foundation of modern hospitals. However, another key element is the new generation of diagnostic tools—from photonic screening to hyperspectral imaging to AI-assisted diagnostics—which can detect diseases faster and more accurately than traditional methods. The hospital of the future is a connected ecosystem where robots operate with millimeter precision, IT systems control the operation of the facility, and diagnostic technologies provide doctors with immediate results. What are the latest technological trends, what does practice in Slovakia bring, and what does a hospital look like where robotics is a fundamental element of modern medicine?

Moderator: Benita Fekete

The discussion will present key projects for the digitization of services for citizens, including eOČR, which simplifies the process of applying for sick pay and significantly reduces the burden on doctors, and the electronic pregnancy logbook, a proactive service for expectant mothers. Both projects are being developed in close cooperation between the National Health Information Centre and the Social Insurance Company and are examples of the effective integration of health and social systems.

Moderator: Benita Fekete

Hospitals and healthcare facilities have become one of the most frequent targets of cyberattacks in Europe. Ransomware can paralyze an entire department, block access to patient data, and in extreme cases, endanger lives. How can healthcare data be protected in the NIS2 era? What role does artificial intelligence play in detecting threats in real time? And what are the experiences of hospitals that have already been attacked? This block will bring together the experiences of experts, practical examples, and recommendations for hospitals and the state.

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

The revision of EU pharmaceutical legislation – the so-called Pharma Package – represents a historic opportunity to set new rules for research, registration, and availability of medicines in Europe. The reform aims to improve patient access to innovative treatments, increase crisis preparedness, and strengthen the environmental sustainability of the sector. However, the proposals raise concerns: shorter data protection periods, new obligations for manufacturers, and pressure on affordability could weaken Europe's competitiveness in the global battle for investment. Trilogues – negotiations among the Commission, Parliament, and Council – are currently underway to determine the final form of the legislation. The discussion will raise fundamental questions about the balance between public interest, support for innovation, and patient protection in smaller Member States.

Moderator: Benita Fekete

Through the National Health Information Centre, Slovakia is making progress in its integration into the European Health Data Space (EHDS). The key objective is to create a national connector that will enable the secure sharing of patient data between EU countries and its reuse in research or policy-making. Slovakia is also testing data exchange with countries such as the Czech Republic, Italy, and Cyprus, and is working to meet the milestones for full technical and organizational readiness.

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

Healthcare Readiness Index is a tool for assessing the readiness of healthcare systems for future challenges – from crisis and pandemic management, through digitization and data utilization, to the introduction of innovations and new technologies. The index enables the comparison of key areas, including infrastructure, legislation, financing, availability of human resources, and the level of cooperation between the public and private sectors. The aim is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the system and to create a basis for strategic decision-making and practical reforms.

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

REGISTRATION on ITAPA OPEN TALK: HEALTH&CARE

How can we find savings and efficiency in Slovak healthcare? The 2026 budget will determine whether Slovak healthcare will finally move forward or remain stuck in a vicious circle. Where are the billions going and what are citizens actually getting in return? Where is this money going, where is it being lost, and how can it be used more effectively? The discussion will provide an open view on how to set up fair and transparent financing that motivates efficiency and quality. Fair financing of hospitals and sustainability of public resources. What reform measures should bring about visible change – not only in the system, but also in the approach to patients?

Moderator: Šimon Jeseňák

REGISTRATION on ITAPA OPEN TALK