Experts at home and around the world on the future of health care

In recent months, a significant discussion has taken place among experts both within Slovenia and internationally regarding the future of the country's healthcare system. This conversation was centered around the need for better organization, reduced ideological divisions, and increased collaboration between specialists and decision-makers. The roundtable titled “Health – A Shared Value of the Slovenian Nation,” organized by the World Slovenian Congress, aimed to bring together esteemed doctors, legal experts, and international professionals to share insights on successful European healthcare models and propose concrete improvements for Slovenia’s healthcare system.

The meeting took place on July 9th, 2026, and featured contributions from prominent figures in the field. Dr. Boris Pleskovič, president of the World Slovenian Congress, opened the session by emphasizing the role of Slovenian experts abroad in contributing to the nation’s development. He highlighted how the congress has been connecting Slovenians domestically and globally for over three decades, facilitating knowledge transfer back home. According to him, the goal of the gathering was to formulate proposals based on professional expertise and practical experience, which would then be presented to relevant state institutions as part of efforts to renew Slovenia’s healthcare system.

Prof. Dr. Bojana Beović, president of the Slovenian Medical Chamber, pointed out that while Slovenia still achieves excellent clinical results, its systemic organization has lagged behind developments in medicine and changing public needs. She noted that doctors often achieve good outcomes due to their professionalism, dedication, and personal responsibility rather than because of an optimally functioning system. Therefore, she stressed the necessity of reforms aligned with medical advancements, demographic changes, and modern healthcare organization. She also emphasized that a successful healthcare system cannot be built on ideological debates, but must be grounded in scientific evidence, verified data, and international experiences.

Professor Dr. Metka Zorc, the initiator of the roundtable, outlined several areas where the healthcare system could be improved through better organization. She argued that Slovenia should first reorganize primary care and strengthen family medicine, as many issues originate here before escalating to hospitals and emergency centers. She also called for the reorganization of regional hospitals, clearer distribution of health programs, and ensuring equal quality of care throughout the country. Among her recommendations were fairer compensation for healthcare workers based on job complexity, greater support for research and education, simplification of administrative procedures, and increased accountability of leadership in healthcare institutions. She also highlighted the overburdening of emergency centers and the lack of personal physicians as major organizational challenges facing Slovenia’s healthcare system.

Dr. Zorc also shared a story about the Cardiology Department of Medicor, where she strongly defended concessionaires and revealed the bizarre pressures faced by top domestic experts. Her account illustrated the complex relationship between healthcare providers and regulatory bodies, underscoring the need for more transparent and supportive governance structures.

A substantial portion of the meeting focused on presenting healthcare systems from other countries. Professor Dr. Jurij Matija Kališnik introduced the Austrian model, which emphasizes continuous monitoring of service quality, digitization of processes, data collection, and ongoing improvement of treatment outcomes. He stressed that quality is not assumed but constantly measured, compared, and enhanced. Similarly, Mag. Matej Beltram described the Swiss healthcare system, noting that although it is structured differently from Slovenia’s, it excels in efficiency, clear responsibilities, and high accessibility of services. He particularly highlighted the importance of effective organization and well-defined roles in delivering high-quality care.

As discussions continued, participants debated the role of bureaucracy in hindering progress. Many agreed that excessive red tape and inefficient administrative procedures have become a major obstacle, costing more than the actual medical services themselves. This sentiment aligns with broader concerns about the financial burden placed on the healthcare system by bureaucratic inefficiencies. Experts suggested that streamlining administrative tasks, investing in technology, and fostering a culture of transparency and accountability could significantly improve both the efficiency and affordability of healthcare services in Slovenia. With these ideas in mind, the roundtable concluded with a commitment to developing actionable strategies that would guide the transformation of Slovenia’s healthcare system into one that is more responsive, equitable, and sustainable.