Why this story matters:
The healthcare system in Hungary is crumbling: basic items -- such as soap or toilet paper -- are in short supply, and several photos have proved that some institutions are in terrible condition. In one notorious incident a rat was once reported falling from a hospital roof.
Doctors and nurses are overworked. Recently there were several high-profile cases in which the directors and head physicians resigned due to the intolerable conditions at their institutions -- for which they no longer wanted take responsibility.
Leading politicians, however, rarely face the harsh reality since they are entitled to VIP treatment.
The issue sparked a debate whether those who lead the country deserve special treatment while the majority of Hungarians have to face a free but malfunctioning healthcare system.
Opposition politicians ultimately demanded an end to the VIP service but the motion was not accepted in parliament, where Fidesz has a two-thirds majority.
Details from the story:
- The “priority healthcare of state leaders” was suspended before 2010. After 2011 the right-wing government of Viktor Orbán decided to bring it back.
- Ágnes Molnár, an MP of the ruling Fidesz called the opposition’s demand a demagogy and said there was no correlation between VIP treatment and “the general problems of the healthcare system”.
- The motion was presented by a socialist politician, Lajos Korózs.
