Health Ministry seeks extra CZK 1bn for mental health centres, salaries, Covid-19 vaccines

The Ministry of Health budget could exceed 24 billion crowns in 2022, about 1 billion crowns more than approved by the government in June and 6 billion crowns more than allocated for this year.

Minister of Health Adam Vojtěch told reporters that the money would be used, among other things, to finance mental health centres, increase the salaries of doctors at hygienic stations and at the State Health Institute. Money will also go to buy Covid-19 vaccines and fund the Smart Quarantine programme.

The Chamber of Deputies is not expected to have time to approve the 2022 state budget until after the October parliamentary elections. The government will therefore have to discuss the proposal again and submit it to deputies.