In his speech at Parliament on Monday, Gyurcsány unveiled 21 new points of the government’s “100 steps” program. He said in four areas he expects significant changes within months, while the program includes reforms that will take longer than this government’s term, which ends in May 2006.

The PM highlighted emergency health services as an area that needs fast remedy. Currently an ambulance car can reach patients within 15 minutes in 75% of the country’s geographic area. Gyurcsány aims to extend the service to cover 90% of the country, with plans to build new emergency units in four out of Hungary’s 19 counties and to overhaul the helicopter rescue service completely.
He also cited cancer prevention as a focal point of the government’s program.

He aims to increase the current 53% ratio of women taking part in breast screening to 65% by next year. Gyurcsány plans to introduce compulsory prostate screening among men and intends to build a new oncology center in Central Hungary Gyurcsány also plans to reform the system in which general practitioners work. He said most GPs are overburdened and underpaid. Consequently, the government plans to flatten out differences between GPs, while shifting healthcare services toward outpatient care.

Gyurcsány also mentioned drug financing as an area that needs to be reformed. He said Hungary’s population spends close to every third forint on medication, an unacceptable amount. Gyurcsány said the current system does not motivate people to choose cheaper medication.