The Ministry Has Accommodated Us

ČSH

Following the intervention of the society's board, the relevant departments of the Ministry of Health re-examined the draft Indication List for Spa Treatment and Rehabilitation Care for Adults, Children, and Adolescents. Certain changes were made. The Czech Hemophilia Society Board pointed out that the new list had dropped haemophilic arthropathy as a specifically listed indication, leaving only arthropathy in general. Compared to the previous indication list, the option of recommending spa care for hemophilia patients by a haematologist had also disappeared.

The head of the relevant department of the Czech Spa and Spring Inspectorate, Lucie Křesťanová, stated in response to the inquiry that in the new list "... all arthropathies are listed without specifying the cause (which is a better option for the patient)." There is probably nothing to object to there, but significantly more important is the fact that the option of a haematologist's recommendation will be reinstated in the list.

In practice, nothing should fundamentally change. However, one must be prepared for the fact that due to financial reasons, the number of spa patients is declining, in some places by tens of per cent. That, however, is no longer a matter of indication but rather a matter of conscience and willingness of review physicians and other decision-making specialists. In any case, we are glad that we have achieved what matters most.

We welcome all your suggestions and experiences regarding spa care in the discussion.