healthcare system

Black Angel of Pécs: Nurse sentenced to 12.5 years for fatal injection of coronavirus patient

lethal injection coronavirus patient death pécs nurse

The “Black Angel of Pécs,” a clinical nurse, has been sentenced to 12.5 years in prison without the possibility of parole for causing the death of an 82-year-old coronavirus patient in December 2022, the Pécs Regional Court of Appeal ruled.

The court reduced the original 14-year sentence handed down by the Pécs District Court but confirmed the decision to permanently ban the convict from working in healthcare. The nurse, who had been employed at the Internal Medicine Clinic in Pécs since November 2022, administered a lethal dose of potassium to the elderly patient, leading to his death from heart failure just hours later. The nurse took advantage of an unmonitored moment to inject the patient with the potassium, which had been prepared by the shift leader for a different procedure.

The court’s decision also took into account both aggravating and mitigating circumstances, with the convict’s permanent disqualification from healthcare work seen as a safeguard to prevent further crimes of a similar nature.

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Featured image: illustration, depositphotos.com

HMPV on the rise in Hungary: Experts urge caution!

HMPV Hungary Virus Caution

During the holiday season and at the beginning of the year, the number of people visiting their doctors with respiratory symptoms was particularly high. Data shows that the number of respiratory cases exceeded the epidemic threshold weeks ago, with many patients suffering from HMPV infection.

Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a respiratory virus, which has recently received more attention as the number of cases has started to rise. According to Index, it causes flu-like symptoms and can even lead to pneumonia as a complication. Hungarian National surveillance services are detecting the presence of the virus on a weekly basis, and more and more people in Hungary are falling ill.

HMPV Hungary Virus Caution
Source: Pixabay

How does it spread and how does it affect the Hungarian population?

The spread of HMPV is not unexpected, as the population’s immunity has been low for a long time due to the closures during the COVID-19 outbreak. According to 24.hu, the virus is now “catching up” for the two to three years when people were not regularly exposed to respiratory pathogens. As a result, the population is more susceptible to infection and the disease is occurring in larger waves.

Hungary is already recording HMPV cases on a weekly basis, and these numbers are likely to increase. However, experts say there is no need to panic as the symptoms of the disease are mild in most cases and can be well treated at home.

What can be done about HMPV?

Hungarian virologists such as Miklós Rusvai say it is still important to follow basic hygiene rules to prevent infection. Although there is no vaccine against HMPV, the treatment of symptoms is simple: rest, drink plenty of fluids and use antipyretics and mucolytics.

If someone has flu-like symptoms, it is wise to stay at home to reduce the spread of the virus. If symptoms do not improve or worsen within 2-3 days, it may be necessary to see a doctor as complications of HMPV, such as pneumonia, may require more serious treatment.

Mask use has again become an issue in Hungary in relation to the spread of HMPV, particularly in confined spaces and healthcare facilities. Although mask use is not mandatory, it is strongly recommended for those with respiratory symptoms to prevent transmission of the virus.

HMPV Hungary Virus Caution
Source: Pixabay

Experts predict that the spread of HMPV in Hungary will continue, especially during the winter season when respiratory infections tend to peak. However, the epidemiological situation is manageable if the population follows the recommendations and seeks timely medical attention in severe cases.

Overall, the presence of HMPV in Hungary is not a cause for panic but underlines the importance of prevention and the effective functioning of the health system. The spread of the virus and related epidemiological data should continue to be monitored in the coming weeks.

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Péter Magyar: ‘Fake national security review’ distracts as health and economy in ruins in Hungary

Péter Magyar, the leader of the Tisza party, on Monday lambasted the government’s “bogus national security review” which he said was an attempt to divert attention from growing grocery prices, failing heating systems in hospitals and “the railway system falling apart”.

Magyar: no heating in the hospitals, unbearable inflation

Magyar said in a statement that many hospitals were without heating, and children’s wards were no warmer than 15 C. Meanwhile, the price of flour has grown by 40 percent in a year, that of chocolate by 30 percent and the price of dairy products by 20 percent, he said. He said the rail line between Veszprém and Ajka, in western Hungary, renovated six years ago, had become life-threatening and had to be closed down for six months. In other places, trains cannot travel faster than 10kmh, he added.

“Public services are falling apart, and the state is not functional,”

he added. Meanwhile, “ridiculously, [Prime Minister] Viktor Orbán and others are trying to divert attention from all that by the well-worn method of panic-mongering.” “The government ranting about the threat of terrorism and launching a national security review has in past years directly interfered with the elections of other countries, let two thousand people smugglers go from prisons, invited the former president of Iran to Hungary in secret, allowed heads of state and government with outstanding arrest warrants to stay in the country, rejected the International Criminal Court’s ruling regarding the prime minister of Israel, set free an Azeri axe murderer, directly supported dictators, and sent Hungarian soldiers into zones of civil war,” Magyar said.

Government reacts

Péter Takács, the interior ministry’s state secretary for health care, said in response to the accusation that heating was failing at hospitals. “Magyar started another day with lies and fake news”. Tisza said that the heating had failed at the children’s traumatology ward at Szent János Hospital, but the heating is working there, Takács said on Facebook. The heating system of the entire hospital was revamped this year at a cost of 2.8 billion forints (EUR 6.8m), he said, and the post-reconstruction works would soon be over, “so not even that will inconvenience the sick children”. “Péter Magyar is lying constantly; about hospitals and anything else, without ever considering the consequences,” Takács said.

Magyar responded on Facebook that Takács “has no idea what’s going on in Hungarian hospitals”. The Szent László hospital in Budapest “has no heating, the waiting area for specialist treatments is 16 C, children are lying in their coats in bed on the immunology ward, and the situation is no better at the dialysis and wards.” The hospital’s central heating unit broke down a month ago, and staff were told that repair work would start in January, and “might work again by February”, Magyar said.

Austrian ambulances could soon assist Hungarian patients for faster emergency response

Thanks to a recently signed Austrian-Hungarian agreement, ambulances from Austria may now assist Hungarian patients if they can reach the emergency site faster than Hungarian rescue teams. This development was reported by ORF’s Hungarian-language news site.

Cross-border cooperation for better emergency care

The agreement, finalised during the summer and approved by the Hungarian Parliament in November, aims to improve emergency services along the Austrian-Hungarian border, ORF reported. It allows rescue dispatchers in Burgenland and western Hungary to request mutual assistance when needed. This is particularly beneficial in cases where an Austrian ambulance can respond faster to an emergency in Hungary or if the closest hospital to a critically ill patient is located across the border.

austria ambulance
Photo: Wikimedia/Lukas Raich

The cooperation will also extend to air rescue services, ensuring that severe cases, including accidents and critical illnesses, can receive timely and effective treatment. Both countries expect this collaboration to enhance safety and healthcare access for patients in border regions.

Benefits for both nations

The agreement is not one-sided. If an Austrian resident suffers an accident in Hungary, local authorities can call for Austrian medical services to transport the patient to a hospital in Austria. The personnel involved in these cross-border operations will have equal rights and responsibilities as their counterparts in the host country.

This arrangement ensures that emergency responders can work seamlessly, overcoming bureaucratic barriers that might otherwise delay critical care. It is designed to save time and lives in situations where every second counts.

Implementation details to follow

Further specifics of this cross-border agreement will be clarified in an upcoming cooperation contract between Burgenland’s provincial leader and Hungary’s Minister of the Interior, Telex wrote based on ORF’s report. This document will outline the exact rules for mobilising ambulances and utilising hospitals in the neighbouring country. It will also establish communication protocols between Austrian and Hungarian rescue dispatch centres, ensuring that the system operates smoothly and efficiently.

This groundbreaking collaboration marks a significant step toward integrated emergency care in the region, offering faster and safer solutions for patients on both sides of the Austrian-Hungarian border.

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Critical failures disrupt services at Budapest hospital: Equipment failures, burst pipes, resignations

Over the past month, healthcare services at Budapest’s Szent János Hospital have been repeatedly disrupted. Broken equipment, staff resignations, and other challenges forced the hospital to cancel certain treatments, causing notable interruptions. Key issues included a malfunctioning CT scanner, reduced capacity in the trauma ward, and staff shortages in the internal medicine department, which led to patient transfers and discharges.

Health expert Zsombor Kunetz detailed the events on his social media platform, while the hospital confirmed the disruptions to Telex, stating that all acute patients received care, either at the hospital or in partner institutions.

Szent János Hospital Budapest
The building of the New Szent János Hospital and Specialist Clinic of the North-Central Buda Centre, Kútvölgyi Block, on the day of the architectural handover ceremony, 20 December 2022. Photo: MTI/Soós Lajos

A timeline of the incidents:

  • 2 November: Acute neurosurgery services were suspended for 24 hours due to a gastrointestinal infection outbreak among staff. Non-trauma cases were temporarily redirected to the Dr. Manninger Jenő Trauma Centre.
  • 7 November: A burst pipe in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department halted patient admissions overnight.
  • 8–13 November: A CT scanner failure caused delays in critical areas, including trauma, stroke, and emergency services. Despite repairs, further disruptions were anticipated during scheduled maintenance on 28 November.
  • 18 November: The trauma ward announced reduced capacity due to resource limitations, ceasing service for patients from the 11th and 22nd districts.
  • Late November: Six internal medicine staff members resigned, leaving the department struggling to maintain operations. Reduced bed availability led to patient transfers and early discharges.
  • 2 December: Sterilisation equipment failure disrupted trauma services, with only partial recovery the following evening.
  • 4–7 December: Pediatric trauma surgeries were suspended due to maintenance in the operating rooms.

The North-Buda Szent János Centrum Hospital emphasised that these events are publicly documented in the National Public Health and Pharmacy Center’s reports. In response to inquiries, the hospital stated that acute care continued without interruption, while elective surgeries were rescheduled as needed. Patient transfers were coordinated by the National Ambulance Service.

The hospital, which serves between 200,000 and 800,000 residents depending on the speciality, highlighted the dedication of its medical staff. Despite the challenges, they are committed to ensuring safe patient care. Efforts by the hospital’s leadership, procurement agencies, and service providers aim to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.

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EU Presidency – Official: EU health ministers to discuss smoke- and aerosol-free environments in Brussels

European Union health ministers are scheduled to discuss smoke- and aerosol-free environments at a meeting of the council on employment, social policy, health and consumer protection in Brussels on Tuesday, Péter Takács, the state secretary for health, said.

Takács told journalists this key topic was based on the Hungarian law on the protection of non-smokers. He emphasised however that EU recommendation would not trample on the individual freedom of member states, and a ban on smoking in open spaces or on terraces was not on the agenda.

The proposals, he added, would help countries take effective measures to protect non-smokers while also aiding the EU’s plan to combat cancer.

He said cardiovascular diseases, still the top cause of death in the EU, are also high on today’s agenda, adding that emphasis would be placed on prevention, early detection, treatment methods, rehabilitation, and research.

Regarding organ donations and transplants, Takács said the aim was to enhance cooperation between member states.

After the meeting, Takács held a press conference with Olivér Várhelyi, the commissioner for health and animal welfare, and said that the Council had adopted the presidency’s recommendations on smoke- and aerosol-free environments, which further strengthened the protection of non-smokers and contributed to the EU’s goals in the fight against cancer.

The recommendations are not binding, Takács added.

The meeting also touched on connections between the “European health union” and the Draghi report, especially on boosting innovation, competitiveness and health care systems, he said. “Member states welcomed the opportunity to discuss the report … and highlighted the importance of maintaining high-quality patient care and keeping health care systems sustainable while boosting competitiveness,” he said.

Another important topic was the fight against cardiovascular diseases.

“To tackle that challenge, the Hungarian presidency has proposed adopting the Council’s conclusions on improving cardiovascular health, and today’s conclusions have emphasised that European-level measures must be strengthened, especially in prevention, early detection, screening, effective treatment, rehabilitation and research,” he said.

On the matter of organ donations and transplants, the Council conclusions are proposing revisiting an action plan to increase the circle of patients, he said.

Várhelyi said participants had agreed that a modernised, competitive and resilient European health care system was a priority. He also highlighted the importance of the supply chain and the need of further legislation to tackle “vulnerable links” in the chain, especially in the case of priority medicines.

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Hungary praises Albania’s progress on path to integration

Border controls to disappear between Hungary and Romania: Key steps towards Schengen have been taken

Hungary ranks 1st globally for highest cancer death rates, new study finds

hungary highest cancer death rate

A recent study by Universal Drugstore using OECD data has revealed that Hungary holds the highest cancer death rate globally, with 286.4 deaths per 100,000 people. This alarming statistic places Hungary significantly above the average of 201.2 deaths per 100,000 across the 36 countries analysed.

Eastern Europe leads in high cancer mortality

Hungary’s position as the country with the highest cancer death rate highlights a concerning regional trend. Nearly all the top-ranking nations for cancer mortality are in Eastern Europe and the Baltics, with Denmark as the only exception, Universal Drugstore found. This clustering suggests that shared cultural and lifestyle factors, such as dietary habits, smoking prevalence, and alcohol consumption, may contribute to the elevated rates.

Factors behind Hungary’s grim statistics

hungary highest death rate from cancer
Photo: Universal Drugstore

Several factors could explain Hungary’s high cancer death rate:

  1. Lifestyle risks: High rates of smoking and alcohol consumption have long been recognised as significant contributors to cancer prevalence in Hungary.
  2. Diet and obesity: Traditional diets in Hungary often feature high-fat, processed, and red meat-heavy meals, all of which have been linked to cancer risk.
  3. Healthcare access and screening: Limited access to timely cancer screenings and treatments, coupled with overburdened healthcare systems, may exacerbate mortality rates.
  4. Environmental factors: Industrial pollution and poor air quality in some regions of Hungary are additional risk factors.

How Hungary compares

Hungary’s rate of 286.4 cancer deaths per 100,000 people starkly contrasts with Mexico’s 125.9, the lowest among the 36 countries studied. Even within Europe, Hungary’s figures far exceed the median of 196.1 deaths. For comparison, Türkiye, which has the second-lowest cancer death rate in the study, recorded only 154.1 deaths per 100,000 people.

The gender gap in cancer mortality

Consistent with global trends, Hungarian men face higher cancer mortality rates than women. Lifestyle factors such as higher smoking rates among men are often cited as contributing to this disparity.

What can be done?

Addressing Hungary’s cancer crisis requires a multifaceted approach, including:

  • Public health campaigns: Encouraging lifestyle changes, such as smoking cessation, reducing alcohol intake, and promoting healthier eating habits.
  • Improved screening programs: Enhancing early detection through accessible and widespread screening initiatives.
  • Investments in healthcare: Bolstering the healthcare system with better infrastructure and resources for cancer treatment and research.
  • Environmental regulations: Implementing stricter controls on industrial emissions to reduce environmental carcinogens.

A wake-up call

While cancer death rates are declining globally due to advances in medicine and early detection, Hungary’s figures are a stark reminder that much work remains to be done. Without significant interventions, Hungary’s alarming cancer mortality rate will continue to overshadow the strides made in other countries.

This study underscores the urgency of addressing the social, cultural, and systemic factors driving Hungary’s cancer epidemic.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungarian opposition Jobbik urges health-care finance reform

Opposition Jobbik has called for the reform Hungary’s health-care financing system with the aim of speeding up access to better quality services.

Jobbik calls for reforms

László György Lukács, the party’s deputy group leader, told a press conference on Monday that under the current system waiting times for treatments were too long, forcing many patients to pay out of their own pocket for private treatments that they were otherwise entitled to in the state-run system.

Jobbik proposes introducing a personal social insurance account so that people can decide for themselves whether to use a private health-care provider in cases where treatments are unavailable or would take longer than average to access using a state provider, he said.

The social insurance sum in question would cover the cost of an equivalent treatment provided as part of the state health-care system, he said.

Jobbik is launching a debate among professionals and politicians on “making the social insurance contribution transferrable”.

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Has the ambulance service in Budapest collapsed? – spokesperson reacts

Ambulance car budapest healthcare ambulance service in Budapest

Amid growing pressure on the ambulance service in Budapest, a recent Facebook post raised urgent questions about the city’s emergency response capabilities. A health analyst judges the National Ambulance Service harshly, while its spokesperson praises its efficiency and swiftness.

Lack of available ambulance vehicles

According to Index, on Saturday, the ambulance service in Budapest faced severe strain, leaving 35 emergency calls unattended due to a shortage of available vehicles. Notably, cases of choking were among those left on the waiting list, a troubling sign of the city’s current emergency response capacity. Health analyst Zsombor Kunetz criticised the situation as disgraceful for a major European city like Budapest, underscoring that this level of risk necessitates accountability from management. The Hungarian Ambulance Workers’ Association (MOMSZ) reported that patient delays are commonplace, often worsened by the reliance on 18 ambulance units dispatched from other regions rather than directly from Budapest.

Zsombor Kunetz criticised the recent incident as the following:

This is a level of endangerment that cannot fail to hold the management accountable, Gábor Csató, Director General, and György Pápai, Medical Director, should have been sacked yesterday! A disgrace in the middle of Europe in a city of 2 million people! And seriously, this organisation has taken over the emergency rooms.

Spokesperson reacts

Index contacted the National Ambulance Service spokesperson, Pál Győrfi, to react to the Facebook post by MOMSZ. According to Győrfi, the Facebook post shows complete ignorance or a deliberate misinterpretation of the situation. He described the incident as a smear campaign by the MOMSZ and Zsombor Kunetz. In addition, he praised the ambulance service in Budapest for being well-organised. He said:

The posted monitor picture does not illustrate a failure but is part of the regular and proper operation of the ambulance management. Despite the increasing number of tasks, the ambulance response time for emergency P1 cases has remained within 15 minutes in the recent period, which is also due to the dynamic reinforcement of the ambulance capacity in Budapest, the planned redeployment of ambulance units, among other measures.

Győrfi Pál spokesperson
Photo: Facebook / Győrfi Pál

Misleading screenshot?

The spokesperson for the National Ambulance Service clarified that rescue managers in Budapest use multiple monitors and a computer-assisted decision support programme to assign tasks to the correct rescue units based on urgency and protocol. According to Pál Győrfi, the ambulance service in Budapest handles over 1,000 of the country’s daily 3,600-3,800 cases, ensuring that the most urgent, life-threatening incidents are prioritised swiftly and managed to a high professional standard.

He explained: “To pick out a screenshot from the complex process of rescue management is surely misleading, as there are always tasks on the triple screen that can be deferred, (for example level P3, which is a task that does not require immediate lifesaving intervention), and therefore, are not yet assigned to a rescue unit. In addition, at a given moment in time, even the highest priority tasks may be visible, as they appear briefly on the triple screen before they are assigned to the rescue unit and the unit starts to execute the task”.

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New government posts appointed in Hungary

On Monday, a new ministerial commissioner for health and health tourism and state secretary for national policy were also appointed.

Commissioner for the health industry, tourism

The Ministry of National Economy terminated Zsolt Kovács’s appointment as Ministerial Commissioner for National Insurance Strategy and Financial Services on Monday.

National Economy Minister Márton Nagy has appointed Róbert Láng the new commissioner for the healthcare industry and health tourism, the ministry said on Monday.

The commissioner will map out opportunities for development in the sector and make recommendations.

Láng was earlier in charge of operations at the State Healthcare Supply Centre and has advised the National Hospital Directorate.

State Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office

Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén will nominate Lőrinc Nacsa, deputy group leader of the allied ruling Christian Democrats, to fill the post of the recently deceased state secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office in charge of policy for Hungarian communities beyond the border, according to information posted online by news portal hirado.hu on Monday.

János Árpád Potápi died on October 17 at age 57, details HERE.

Read also: Slovakia assures Hungary that the new Slovak language law will not curtail Hungarian minority rights

Hungary among recommended European countries for medical tourism

Medical tourism is on the rise, with thousands of patients each year choosing Europe for high-quality, affordable healthcare. Hungary is particularly popular for dental procedures among Europe’s leading medical destinations, attracting an impressive 100,000 medical tourists annually.

Medical tourism on the rise, Hungary a top destination

According to SchengenVisaInfo, one of the main reasons for medical tourists visiting Hungary is the affordability of its medical procedures. Known for its cost-effective services, Hungary draws thousands of international patients annually, especially those seeking dental care. For instance, a dental implant in Hungary ranges from EUR 800 to EUR 1,200, significantly lower than in the United States, where similar procedures can cost up to EUR 2,500—representing savings of up to 50%. In addition to affordability, Hungary’s healthcare system offers quality care as reflected in its Healthcare Access and Quality Index score of 82.1 out of 100.

Patients can access one of 163 medical facilities across the country, with a favourable ratio of 3.3 doctors per 1,000 people. Patients can expect reliable and professional medical assistance with minimal waiting times. Hungary’s healthcare spending per capita, at EUR 1,171, underscores the country’s commitment to affordable healthcare while maintaining high standards. This has made Hungary a prime destination for those seeking dental procedures and other medical treatments at a fraction of the cost in other countries. Hungary ranks alongside well-established medical tourism destinations like Germany, Türkiye, and Spain, as well as emerging locations like Greece with strong growth potential. Germany is a top choice for complex treatments such as orthopaedic, oncology, and neurosurgery.

Türkiye, Spain, Greece

Türkiye stands out for affordable cosmetic services, particularly hair transplants, while Spain is a leading destination for high-quality fertility treatments and cosmetic surgeries. Greece, a growing player in the sector, is increasingly recognised for accessible and affordable options in IVF and dental care. As the medical tourism market, valued at USD 79.4 billion in 2023, continues to grow, Hungary’s professional and affordable healthcare services make it an ideal destination for international patients.

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Midwife’s leaflet sparks controversy in Hungary

Midwife's leaflet sparks controversy in Hungary pregnancy prenatal baby credit

Midwife advice leaflet stirs controversy: should expectant mothers really be prepping meals and ironing shirts for their husbands, or is it time for a more modern approach to family support? Momentum politician shares her thoughts in a Facebook post, State Secretary for Health reacts.

Outdated advice from a midwife’s handout?

Blikk reports that a recent social media discussion has highlighted advice given in a midwife’s leaflet to pregnant women, suggesting they prepare meals and iron clothes for their husbands before going into the hospital. This guidance, provided by a midwife, has sparked debate, with Szeged-based Momentum politician Noémi Halász criticising it as outdated. Halász argues that in today’s world, where many women work and contribute equally to household income, domestic responsibilities should be shared more equitably. She contends that while family support has traditionally helped mothers, relying solely on the mother-to-be to maintain the home is no longer practical or fair.

Midwife's leaflet sparks controversy in Hungary pregnancy
Photo: depositphotos.com

Supporting women

Halász emphasises the significant physical, psychological, and hormonal challenges that come with motherhood, suggesting it’s crucial for family members to support the new mother instead of adding to her burdens. Reflecting on past practices, she acknowledges that previous generations could lean on extended family or community support; however, today’s working mothers deserve a self-sufficient household where everyone contributes to chores. This modern approach, she insists, respects the realities of contemporary family life and the evolving role of women, making shared responsibility vital in ensuring new mothers can focus on recovery and bonding with their newborns.

What do men think about this?

Some men found the advice from the midwife’s leaflet outdated and offensive, suggesting it reinforces unfair stereotypes about gender roles within the household. Others pointed out that men, too, increasingly take active roles in caregiving and household duties, with some even involved in home births, challenging the leaflet’s assumptions about family dynamics.

Péter Takács, State Secretary for Health, also reacted to Halász’s Facebook post. He writes:

As you explain later, this leaflet is a private company publication, nothing to do with the government.
While I myself find the content outrageous, please remove the false context in the post. Indeed, what is written in the booklet in no way reflects the position of the health government. I myself will do my utmost to ensure that the network of midwives distributes only professionally correct, non-commercial and family-friendly publications to pregnant women.
With many thanks from a father of 5 who irons his own shirts.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungary rises in global retirement rankings: Top countries for a happy retirement

hungary retirement global rankings

In a recent global survey, U.S. News and World Report ranked 89 countries based on where people after retirement can enjoy the most comfortable lifestyles. With nearly 17,000 responses, the study assessed affordability, tax climate, friendliness, desirability, climate, property rights, and healthcare quality. Switzerland took the top spot once again, while Hungary improved its ranking from 47th to 45th, standing mid-range globally and in the upper-middle among European countries.

Hungary’s position and regional comparison

While Hungary remains in the middle of the list, it holds a solid position among regional peers. Within Central and Eastern Europe, only Croatia and Poland ranked slightly higher, while neighbouring countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the Baltic states (Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania) ranked lower, Index reports. This suggests that Hungary provides a competitive retirement experience for those looking at countries in the region.

Affordability and quality of life

hungary retirement global rankings
Photo: depositphotos.com

One of Hungary’s key advantages lies in its affordability, with living costs considerably lower than those in top-ranked countries. Retirees can find Hungary attractive for this reason, particularly when compared to nations like Switzerland, Portugal, and New Zealand, where the quality of life is excellent but also comes with a high price tag. Survey respondents indicate that while other countries may offer more luxurious retirement options, Hungary is a solid choice for enjoying a comfortable retirement at a reasonable cost.

Appeal to retirees considering Hungary

Hungary’s central location in Europe, cultural diversity, and relatively lower costs make it an appealing choice for both local and international retirees. Although the healthcare system does not match the sophistication of Switzerland, Hungary still offers essential healthcare services that meet basic needs. For retirees looking to explore Europe affordably, Hungary’s positioning makes it a convenient and enjoyable option.

Comparison with top-ranked countries

Switzerland’s attractiveness for retirees largely stems from its advanced healthcare and favourable tax system. New Zealand, ranking second, is becoming increasingly popular as a retirement destination due to its scenic landscapes, welcoming culture, and supportive healthcare services. While life quality is undoubtedly high in the top-ranked countries, living costs are also significantly higher compared to Hungary.

Hungary’s future in the retirement rankings

Hungary’s improved ranking reflects that it’s becoming a more attractive retirement destination, especially for those seeking a moderate cost of living and a pleasant environment. If Hungary focuses on advancing its healthcare system and living standards, it could appeal to even more international retirees. Like other Central and Eastern European countries, Hungary faces the challenge of remaining competitive in the region, offering an appealing lifestyle for retirees.

Summary

With two spots gained in the rankings, Hungary finds itself as a mid-tier but solid retirement choice globally. Lower living costs and a friendly environment make it an attractive option, especially within its region. Future enhancements in infrastructure and healthcare could further bolster its appeal, positioning Hungary as a more competitive choice in the international retirement landscape.

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Featured image: depositphotos.com

Hungary becomes EU’s most expensive state to run all the while underfunding healthcare

orbán and rogán hungary most expensive state to run

In 2023, Hungary officially became the European Union’s most expensive state to run, with the government spending 8.1% of its GDP on public administration, security, defence, and local municipalities. This expenditure—outlined in a recent budget report submitted to Parliament—places Hungary ahead of all other EU member states, where the average is 5.9%. While Hungary’s lavish spending on state operations stands out, its healthcare system remains severely underfunded, drawing sharp criticism.

Hungary spends too little on healthcare, education

The financial report revealed that, while the state spent HUF 6,119 billion (EUR 15.23 billion) on its operations, healthcare received a mere 4.7% of GDP, placing Hungary at the bottom of the EU rankings, Népszava reports. In comparison, the average EU country allocates 7.7% of GDP to healthcare, significantly more than Hungary. Despite an increase in nominal terms to HUF 3,554 billion (EUR 8.85 billion), high inflation caused the real value of healthcare spending to drop by 7.8%, a reality that healthcare professionals and the public are increasingly feeling.

on-call system healthcare
Photo: depositphotos.com

Education spending faced similar struggles. Though the government allocated HUF 2,901 billion (EUR 7.22 billion), a 12% increase in nominal terms, the nation’s inflation rate of 17.6% meant that in real terms, spending actually decreased by 5.6%. This leaves Hungary trailing behind the EU average, with the country spending 3.9% of its GDP on education compared to the EU average of 4.9%.

At the same time, state propaganda received more

Despite cutbacks across essential public services, there was one notable exception: government propaganda. The Prime Minister’s Cabinet Office, led by Antal Rogán, received HUF 18.1 billion (EUR 45 million) more than originally budgeted for government communication tasks, alongside HUF 35.5 billion (EUR 88.4 million) extra for events.

Meanwhile, the country’s defence and law enforcement sectors also felt the pinch. The 3.2% budget cut, when adjusted for inflation, amounted to a real-term reduction of 21%. This drastic decrease in funding left security forces under strain, with rising debts accumulating towards the end of the year, necessitating emergency financial interventions.

orbán and rogán
PM Orbán (left) and Antal Rogán (right). Photo: Facebook/Orbán Viktor

Hungary’s high costs extend beyond public administration. The state also stands out for its generous spending on business subsidies and cultural activities, which includes sports and religious support. These areas have long been a priority for the Orbán government, often at the expense of healthcare and education.

In conclusion, the data highlights the stark imbalance in Hungary’s budget priorities, as the country allocates disproportionately high sums to operating the state while underfunding vital sectors like healthcare and education. This spending pattern raises significant concerns, especially given the country’s ongoing economic challenges and rising inflation.

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Revealed: These are the best places to live in Hungary in 2024!

lake balaton property real estate places to live

Budapest, Debrecen, and the area around Pannonhalma have been ranked as the best places to live in Hungary in 2024, according to the latest livability report from MBH Jelzálogbank. The findings show that the competition is tight, especially outside the capital, with minimal differences in scores among the top-ranking areas.

The best places to live in Hungary this year

The report, released on Thursday, assesses 174 districts across Hungary, including Budapest, and takes into account factors such as education, healthcare, culture, crime rates, job opportunities, shopping options, and housing affordability to evaluate how these aspects influence the housing market, mfor.hu reports.

In terms of education, the top performers on the list of the best places to live in Hungary are Budapest and regions in the western and southern parts of the country. Healthcare scores are particularly high in southern districts, while job opportunities vary significantly across the country.

Budapest in the top spot

As in previous years, Budapest retains the top spot in the livability rankings, followed by the Debrecen district. In third place is the Pannonhalma district, with Budakeszi rising to fourth, having placed seventh last year. Other top performers include Pilisvörösvár, Bácsalmás, Dunakeszi, and Veszprém. Notably, the Kisbér and Érd districts, which dropped out last year, have re-entered the top ten. While Budapest remains an outlier with the highest overall score, the differences among the other leading districts are marginal—Debrecen, for example, edged out Érd by fewer than four points.

Győr ranked 11th this year, followed by Pécs in 13th and Szeged in 14th.

The analysis highlights that districts in the northeastern regions tend to score the lowest, while higher-scoring districts are concentrated in the south, around the capital, and in northwestern Hungary.

Education, healthcare, culture and job opportunities

lake balaton property real estate (1)
The areas around Lake Balaton also rank highly on the list of the best places to live in Hungary in 2024. Lake Balaton. Source: depositphotos.com

Education-wise, Budapest leads, followed by western and southern regions, while large cities in the northern and eastern areas also received high scores. In healthcare, the top three spots remain unchanged from last year: Budapest ranks first, followed by Pécs and Gyula. Overall, southern districts have the highest healthcare scores. When it comes to culture, Budapest, Debrecen, Szeged, and Pécs are cultural hotspots, with areas around Lake Balaton also ranking highly. Job opportunities show stark regional differences, with northwestern Hungary and Budapest far outperforming the southern and eastern parts of the country.

Housing affordability, crime

Unsurprisingly, housing affordability remains a challenge near Lake Balaton, where high property prices relative to income keep these districts at the bottom of the affordability rankings. Budapest also ranks among the least affordable places to live. As for crime statistics, larger cities continue to perform poorly in this regard.

On the list of county seats, Budapest once again ranks first in livability, followed by Veszprém, Pécs, and Győr. Other notable cities include Szekszárd, Székesfehérvár, Szombathely, Szeged, Debrecen, and Zalaegerszeg. Despite Budapest’s strong overall ranking, Győr outscored the capital in education and job opportunities. Housing affordability remains a weak point for Budapest, which also struggles with moderate crime risk, placing 17th in this category. The most affordable county capital is still Salgótarján, with Miskolc and Békéscsaba trailing far behind. In healthcare, Pécs ranked highest, followed by Miskolc and Veszprém.

MBH’s Best Places to Live in Hungary list

This is the fourth year that MBH Jelzálogbank has conducted its livability study, which focuses on the factors affecting housing demand across different regions of Hungary to provide an overview of the best places to live in the country. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of the economic, social, and infrastructural factors that contribute to a region’s appeal. Key considerations include education, healthcare, cultural access, job markets, crime rates, and shopping options.

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National public health strategy announced in Hungary

The state secretary for health said on Tuesday that Hungary’s national public health strategy, which sets out key objectives and tasks for the next ten years, is now ready.

National public health strategy in Hungary

The document also defines “intervention points and monitoring”, Péter Takács said, noting that the strategy heavily leans towards prevention and catching diseases early.

Takács said the government’s goal is to increase the number of years Hungarians spend in health.

“Hungary seriously lags behind in this respect if compared with the EU average,” he said, adding that “it impacts the country’s economic performance.”

The state secretary cited studies that suggested that each year spent on health increased a country’s GDP by 0.4 percent.

He said the interior ministry, overseeing the health portfolio, assigned the task of drafting the strategy to the umbrella organisation Hungarian Association of Public Health Training and Research Institutes (NKE).

“Already, results show that our cooperation has extended colon cancer screenings to cover the entire population in the 50-70 age group across the country,” Takács added.

Róza Adany, NKE’s founder and honorary president, said that the population’s aging was a phenomenon prevalent in Hungarian society as well. She noted that “since 1981 the number of deaths outperforms the number of births,” adding that “2018 was a unique year from the point of view that never before had the proportion of people aged 65 or older exceeded the proportion of those aged five or younger”.

She promoted the approach that it was of key importance “to let older but active people appear in the labour market who can contribute to the country’s development”.

As we wrote earlier, changes coming to Budapest’s primary care on-call system: Key details you need to know

read also: Hungarian healthcare system is dying, with waiting lists for some surgeries lasting almost 7 years

Drastic changes in healthcare in Budapest from October

The National Ambulance Service (OMSZ) is planning a significant reduction in the number of GP services in Budapest, cutting them by a third. Starting in October, the city will see only 13 adult and 3 pediatric emergency points in operation, a decrease from the current 23. This change aims to centralise emergency healthcare services in the capital.

The new adult healthcare points will be strategically distributed: six will be located next to emergency departments, five within specialised clinics, and two at OMSZ facilities, Népszava reports after the concept of the OMSZ was obtained by the newspaper. The pediatric outpatient clinics will be situated at Heim Pál Hospital, Szent János Hospital, and the Révész Street clinic in the XIII district.

To support this new structure, OMSZ plans to deploy five “secondary” two-person on-call emergency units. These units will help integrate Budapest into the national unified state on-call system, aiming to provide a more cohesive and efficient emergency response.

Currently, primary care in Budapest operates differently from other regions in Hungary. Residents can access district-run emergency services 24/7, with doctors available to make house calls if necessary. This system allows GPs to manage emergency cases without disrupting their regular practice hours.

However, under the new plan, the 24-hour on-call service will be discontinued. Instead, GPs will be assigned to specific on-call points in their districts from 4 PM to 10 PM on weekdays, and from 8 AM to 2 PM on weekends and public holidays. After 10 PM, care will be provided by university-qualified specialist nurses, paramedics, and ambulance officers. This change has raised concerns among professional organisations, including the Hungarian Medical Chamber and the Budapest municipality, regarding its potential impact on patient care and safety.

The revised on-call service will be coordinated by the National Ambulance Service, requiring patients to dial the emergency number (1830) outside of normal office hours. Dispatchers will then assess whether the patient needs telephone advice, an ambulance, or an in-person examination. One significant challenge of this new system is that many primary care doctors in Budapest have not participated in on-call care for 25-30 years, leaving them inexperienced in handling emergency situations, as Népszava reports.

Many questions arise about the new health system

Hospital healthcare health
Photo: DNH

Patient safety is also a concern, particularly regarding the availability of GPs from 4 PM to 8 PM, which overlaps with their regular working hours. This overlap means that if GPs are required to be on call during these hours, they may need to stop seeing patients after 4 PM, limiting the availability of regular appointments. Consequently, many patients might only be able to see their GPs during personal leave, further complicating access to primary care.

Gábor Havasi, Budapest’s health councillor, expressed concerns to Népszava about the lack of consultation from the government regarding the restructuring of the on-call system. Mayor Gergely Karácsony has written to State Secretary Péter Takács, seeking a meeting to discuss these changes. Havasi doubts whether the ambulance service has sufficient capacity to manage the new on-call duties and mentioned that the city plans to develop its own proposal for restructuring on-call services in Budapest.

The planned changes reflect a significant shift in how emergency healthcare will be delivered in Budapest. While the aim is to create a more integrated and efficient system, the transition poses challenges and uncertainties, particularly concerning the preparedness of GPs and the overall impact on patient care.

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Government takes action amid hospital air-conditioning breakdown crisis in Hungary

The state secretary in charge of health services said on Monday that the government is using 1.3 billion forints (EUR 3.3m) to finance repairs on hospitals’ air conditioning (AC) systems.

Péter Takács told public media that in the recent heat wave four hospitals, out of a total 81, had to reschedule operations. He added that “there have been minor problems (with air conditioning) everywhere but no urgent case was left unattended.” “Hospitals were able to resolve their problems through reorganising their services,” he said.

In view of heat waves occurring more frequently, the government started modernising the air conditioning systems in hospitals three years ago, having spent over 10 billion forints to that end so far, Takacs said, adding that 14 major hospitals across the country now had completely new systems.

On another subject, Takács noted that the European Union’s health ministers will meet in Budapest on Wednesday and Thursday. Their agenda will focus on making health care services resistant to the impacts of climate change.

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