The mental health of children and young people is becoming one of the key topics in Slovak politics. The Minister of Health emphasized that alongside "firefighting" we need to push through systemic solutions and get rid of ministerial silos. He also spoke about the state's planned steps, the financial context, and the need to involve young people themselves.
Ending ministerial silos: cooperation and the voice of young people
Mental health cannot be addressed within a single office; therefore, the steps of five ministries are being coordinated — health, education, labor, interior, and justice. Questions of sports infrastructure for children intersect mainly with education and regional investments, but coordination and clear priorities are essential. The issue should be apolitical: decisions should be based on data and on the experience of those whom they affect — young people should have a seat at the table and take part in drafting measures. The government is preparing concrete steps that are to be reflected in budget planning as well, so that the measures do not remain only on paper.
Money, continuity, and pharmaceutical policy reform
The short "shelf life" of ministers hinders systemic change; without continuity it is hard to remedy problems deferred for years. The ministry is therefore proceeding through agreements and open dialogue — from a memorandum on more efficient hospital reimbursements, through the work of the DRG committee, to aligning rates. A central focus is also the reform of pharmaceutical policy: Slovakia spends around 1.7 billion euros annually and, relative to V4 spending, ranks among the highest, yet patients often wait for innovative treatment. The draft amendment is to undergo a proper interministerial comment procedure and an unprecedented 10-week conciliation process, to streamline the rules and free up resources for the outpatient sector, prevention, and mental health. Better predictability should also be aided by a new budget council in healthcare and by publishing program guidelines earlier, so that partners can plan before "the last minute".
