Hungary - National Campaign Highlights Need for Reform - May Provide Opportunities for U.S. Companies

The healthcare system in Hungary is facing significant underfinancing, a situation that has prompted the Hungarian Medical Chamber (MOK) to launch a nationwide campaign aimed at improving healthcare funding. This campaign, which relies on data from the OECD and Eurostat, is a direct response to the deteriorating state of the Hungarian healthcare system, a condition the Chamber attributes to decades of neglect.  

The campaign underscores the alarming statistic that approximately 60,000 lives could be saved annually with efficient healthcare reforms. To raise awareness and garner support, the campaign is hosted on a dedicated website, tobbeterdemel.hu (“he/she deserves more”), which has been launched with the broad backing of the Hungarian medical community.  The primary goals of the campaign include enhancing citizens’ health awareness, advocating for the establishment of a robust state healthcare system, and addressing critical issues such as outdated hospitals. The MOK has outlined that the healthcare sector requires HUF 2.5 trillion (USD 6.4 billion) annually to reach the EU average. To achieve this, they propose increasing the healthcare budget by 0.5% of GDP each year, with the aim of reaching the target within six to seven years.  

Currently, Hungary spends USD 1,327 per capita on healthcare annually, which is less than half of the EU average of USD 3,446. This underfunding is reflected in several troubling healthcare statistics. Hungary ranks last in the EU for per capita cancer mortality rate, and nearly 1 million people in Hungary do not have a regular family doctor due to high fluctuation rates. Additionally, four out of ten Hungarian males do not reach the age of retirement.  A recent study by the European Commission further highlights the severity of the situation, revealing that Hungary has the highest per capita death rate from cancer in the EU. The study also points out a significant gender disparity, with the mortality rate for Hungarian men being almost twice as high as for women. Various risk factors contribute to these statistics, including high rates of smoking and excess weight, both of which exceed the EU average. While obesity rates have decreased in the EU, they have increased to 58% in Hungary. 

Moreover, Hungary ranks poorly in smoking rates and fruit and vegetable consumption.  In summary, the Hungarian Medical Chamber’s campaign is a crucial step towards addressing the severe underfinancing of the healthcare system in Hungary. By raising awareness and advocating for increased funding, the campaign aims to save lives and improve the overall health and well-being of Hungarian citizens.  U.S. healthcare companies are well positioned to provide technology and treatments to support the health and wellbeing of Hungarian citizens.