Polish presidential candidate Karol Nawrocki, backed by the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party, has sparked controversy with a new campaign ad declaring that "Polish citizens must come first in lines for doctors and clinics."
The ad described the proposal as “the most important legal change in recent years,” and added, “Poles must not be treated worse in their own country than immigrants.”
Nawrocki faces backlash over controversial healthcare proposal
The statement drew strong criticism from opposition politicians and medical professionals. Aleksandra Leo, an MP from the centrist Poland 2050 party, called the idea “disgusting” during an interview on TVN24, saying it was divisive and discriminatory.
Jakub Kosikowski, spokesperson for Poland’s Supreme Medical Chamber (NIL), also responded to Karol Nawrocki’s proposal.
“From our perspective, the order in which patients are admitted to see a doctor is usually - and most importantly - determined by the patient’s condition. Regardless of someone’s nationality, if they are in Poland and paying contributions, then such a provision based on nationality would simply be discriminatory,” Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reports, citing Kosikowski.
Expert warns of Nawrocki’s discriminatory idea for patients
According to a spokesperson for Poland’s Supreme Medical Chamber, Nawrocki’s proposal could deepen tensions in the country’s healthcare system, particularly over long wait times for specialist care. It is not uncommon for Polish citizens to wait years for such treatment.
The Polish medical news outlet Rynek Zdrowia highlights that the medical association believes access to healthcare should be determined by a patient’s medical condition, not their nationality. It is also important to note that uninsured patients in Poland are not entitled to free healthcare and must pay for treatment, even in emergencies.
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Source: NIL/Rzeczpospolita/Rynek Zdrowia/X/@RPPrawo