Health Minister sacked

Health Minister Milada Emmerova has been dismissed from office, after failing to deal with cash flow problems in the health sector. The health crisis reached a head when six of minister Emmerova's deputies offered to resign on Tuesday. Private physicians staged a one day strike last week. To help stabilise the situation, the government earmarked 3.8 billion crowns in emergency aid.

Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek says there are two main candidates for the post. He has refused to reveal their names but expects to find Mrs Emmerova's replacement within a week. His deputy, Zdenek Skromach, will be leading the ministry until a new health minister is appointed, the presidential office announced on Wednesday.