Czech trade unions say no to privatised healthcare

Czech health unions have issued a statement urging the government to halt preparations for the privatisation of healthcare in the Czech Republic. Specifically, they point to new proposals by the Health Ministry to float teaching hospitals and also health insurance companies on the stock exchange. Union representatives have described such moves as the first step towards the complete privatisation of Czech healthcare. Heath Minister Tomáš Julínek has denied these claims insisting that the current proposals will still leave hospitals under state ownership.