Transparency International: Czech healthcare system is wasteful

The Czech branch of the anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International says its recent study shows around 20 billion crowns (almost one billion USD) is wasted every year in the Czech healthcare system. If used efficiently, this money could improve the quality of care patients receive, they say. Combined with losses in the health insurance system, the estimated figure would rise to 27.6 billion. According to Transparency International, the losses are mainly caused by a high sickness rate and the way in which public contracts are awarded.