EU Appoints Hungarian Health Commissioner Amid Domestic Health Crisis

The European Union's appointment of Olivér Várhelyi as health commissioner has sparked criticism in Hungary, where the healthcare system is in disarray. The country faces significant challenges, including crumbling hospitals and a lack of a health minister, following the government's decision to dismantle the health ministry in 2010 to cut costs. This has led to widespread complaints from patients, with many turning to private healthcare for better services. Reports of inadequate facilities, such as a father recounting his son's death due to thrombosis in a poorly equipped ICU, highlight the dire state of public health. Experts note that while some hospitals function well, the overall system suffers from inefficiency and financial issues, exacerbated by the nationalization of municipal hospitals in 2011-2012. Medical professionals are overwhelmed and burned out, contributing to a deteriorating healthcare environment. Journalists face restrictions in reporting on hospital conditions, which were particularly dire during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Hungary experienced one of the highest mortality rates in the EU. In response to the negative portrayal of the healthcare system, the government has accused critics of misrepresentation and conducting smear campaigns. Investigative efforts by journalists have revealed alarming conditions, such as failing air conditioning in hospitals during heatwaves. The situation raises questions about the effectiveness of Hungary's healthcare policies and the implications of appointing a health commissioner from a country struggling with its own health crisis. The EU's decision may further spotlight the need for reform in Hungary's public health system.