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Today, the Minister of Health of the Republic of Lithuania, Arūnas Dulkys, who visited Alytus, responded to three requests initiated by the Alytus District Municipality.

“Being heard and being able to improve healthcare services for the residents of the district is a significant achievement,” said Rasa Vitkauskienė, the Mayor of Alytus District, who participated in the meeting.

Will be able to provide Level II services

One of the most significant achievements is that the Ministry has considered the Alytus District Municipality's proposal to allow Level I healthcare institutions to provide individual Level II healthcare services. Until now, to obtain a secondary-level license, it was necessary to ensure a package of 13 services. This requirement did not apply to the private sector.

The District PSPC, following the Ministry’s change in legislation, will be able to offer more services to patients, such as obstetrics and gynecology, surgery, internal medicine, and others, which will improve the accessibility of healthcare services for the residents of Alytus District.

Due to the existing legislation regarding licenses for secondary-level services, it has been difficult to compete with private healthcare institutions.

Mobile dental services – to homes

Minister Arūnas Dulkys visited the mobile outpatient clinic, where patients are examined, blood tests and electrocardiograms are performed, as well as the mobile dental cabinet. These health service clinics on wheels, visiting residents, are unique in Lithuania.

“By providing mobile dental care services in the most remote residential areas, far from municipal administrative centers, we have realized the high demand for these services at patients' homes, especially for those unable to get out of bed. However, without a legal framework, it is not possible to provide such services,” said Mayor Rasa Vitkauskienė.

After hearing from the Mayor, the Minister promised that legislation would soon be passed, allowing dental care services to be provided not only in the mobile dental clinic but also at patients' homes.

Inquired about Ambulance Stations

During the meeting, Mayor Rasa Vitkauskienė expressed concern for the residents of more remote areas of the district, for whom timely emergency medical assistance is also important. The Mayor reminded that the municipality had sent several requests and inquired about the Ministry's position on the previously promised Simnas and Daugai EMS stations.

Minister Arūnas Dulkys did not have a specific response, advising the district officials to contact the National Emergency Medical Service, which analyzes the need and decides whether an ambulance station is necessary in the area.

“If necessary, we will send another letter,” said Vice Mayor Aurimas Truncė, who also participated in the meeting.

During his visit to the Alytus District PSPC, the Minister talked with the district leaders and the institution’s director, Giedrė Ilgūnaitė, discussing work organization practices and reducing bureaucracy. The Minister also spoke with family doctor Laura Bieliauskaitė-Svetlauskienė and inquired about the current functioning of e-health. Upon hearing about the additional burden on family doctors for justifying lessons, the Minister promised to analyze the situation and forward family doctors' concerns to the Ministry of Education, Science, and Sports.

The Minister suggested allowing individuals with chronic illnesses who regularly take prescribed medications to have prescriptions issued for longer periods, thus reducing the number of visits solely to get a prescription and alleviating the burden on patients.