Jakub Hlávka, Director of the Institute for Health Economics, Policy, and Innovation at Masaryk University in Brno (HEPII), has served as an advisor to the President of the Czech Republic for Health Care since September. In this new role, he co-organized a roundtable discussion with President Petr Pavel and Eva Pavlová entitled "Primary Care Physician Shortage in Czech Regions," which focused on the challenges faced by primary care physicians in the Czech Republic.
The meeting took place on November 19, 2024, at Prague Castle and was attended by key figures from the health sector, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, insurance companies, medical faculties, researchers, primary care physicians, and physicians' associations. The discussion focused on current challenges and potential solutions for improving conditions in primary care.
"Addressing the workforce shortage is not easy, but it was great to reach consensus on several aspects. If we remove many of the barriers primary care faces, we can improve the quality and accessibility of care, especially in areas of the country that are most at risk," Hlávka said.
A comprehensive overview of these issues is provided by a new policy report from the HEPII team.
In addition to his role as Advisor to the President, Jakub Hlávka will also be teaching in the new Master's degree program in Applied Health Economics at Masaryk University. Admissions to this program will open on December 15, 2024, with classes starting in September 2025. The program will provide students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in health economics and policy.
