Recent health system development in Poland and Hungary

Abstract

Before 1989, the health systems of both Poland and Hungary were fully socialist, with all resources being governmental. The total populations of these countries were entitled to comprehensive health services from regionalized networks of hospitals, polyclinics, and primary health stations. Preventive environmental and epidemiological services were provided through special small facilities. Since the termination of socialism in 1989, the Polish system has been largely unchanged, except for greater emphasis on primary health care. About 5 percent of polyclinics have been privatized. In Hungary, financing has been transferred to a Social Security Fund. Polyclinics have been absorbed by hospital outpatient departments, and patients may use them only on referral by a family doctor. Public health officers have a wider scope of responsibilities in their districts. Both health systems still stress equitable distribution of services to everyone.