The agreements reached regarding EU funds are consistent with Hungarian interests, Balázs Orbán says.Continue reading
The renovation and development of Hungarian hospitals will continue even if the country does not receive EU reconstruction funds, the Finance Minister said at the architectural inauguration ceremony of the New St. John’s Hospital and Specialist Clinic of the North-Central Buda Center in Budapest.
Mihály Varga stressed that the government is committed to expanding the resources and opportunities of the health sector. He said that on the basis of the agreement with the European Commission, substantial funds will be allocated to the restoration and reconstruction program to ensure that investments continue.
Whether this EU money comes or not, we are ready to give the health sector the resources it deserves from national resources,”
the Minister stressed. He also said that this year, 2,884 billion forints (EUR 7.1 billion) have been allocated to the health sector, including for hospital development, and in addition, 17 health institutions in the capital have been developed in recent years.
The investment included medical technology upgrades to meet 21st century needs. In addition to in-patient and out-patient departments, an endoscopy room, an emergency reception room and radiology department, new CT, X-ray, and ultrasound rooms have been built.
The government has recently reached an agreement with the European Commission on EU funds, which has required a number of commitments to be met and more to be made. Meanwhile, the renovation of hospitals is not the only thing the government wants to maintain and implement even if the EU money does not arrive on time.
Teachers recently received a 12 percent increase in their allowances as part of the pay raise promises. The government said it could currently advance such an increase until the funds due to Hungary from the European Union arrive. However, once the money arrives, they are preparing a significant pay increase for teachers, which would increase their salaries by 30 percent by 2025.
Featured photo via Facebook/Mihály Varga