Czech doctors consider prescribing exercise as treatment

Czech doctors would like to prescribe exercise as part of medical treatment in the future, Health Minister Vlastimil Válek said on Tuesday at a press conference focusing on the role of the physiotherapists in sport and medicine. Mr. Válek said the treatment could be financed from the prevention funds of health insurance companies.

According to the minister, costs related to the treatment of obesity account for up to a tenth of health care spending. Close to a fifth of Czechs are obese, while three-quarters of the population is overweight. More than a million people are being treated for diabetes.

Experts say that while such a move is still a long way off, it is important to start a debate on the topic. They also point out that it could effectively relieve the overburdened health and rehabilitation system.