Despite the introduction of numerous reforms and long-standing programs, such as the National Cancer Control Program and the National Oncology Strategy, the Polish oncology care system still fails to provide comprehensive treatment and equal access to services. Staff shortages, dispersion of services and delays in diagnosis and treatment remain a problem. The pilot program of the National Oncology Network, which was supposed to streamline the process of cancer treatment, has so far failed to produce the expected results, the NIK alarms.
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in Poland, and the survival rate is lower than in other EU countries. Although the number of cases is increasing, the health care system still does not provide equal and comprehensive oncological treatment. What are the conclusions of the NIK audit?
Main problems of the oncology system
1. unequal access to specialists
In Poland, the number of oncologists and hematologists is extremely uneven from region to region. Some provinces have almost five times as many specialists as others. The Opole province does not employ a single pediatric oncologist or hematologist, which means that the youngest patients have to seek help in other parts of the country.
2. problems with diag... Content locked
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