A member of the right-of-centre Civic Democratic Party, Tomas Julinek,
has criticised Health Minister David Rath for proposed changes in the
health sector. On Tuesday Mr Julinek stated the proposed changes, the
reduction of medical services by one-fifth, would see patients suffer,
primarily those with chronic diseases, including patients awaiting
kidney or bone marrow transplants. The health minister has not
responded to the charge. Mr Rath, who is unaffiliated but will run on
the Social Democrat ballot in general elections next year, has been at
odds with members of the opposition Civic Democratic Party on numerous
occasion in recent weeks, trading political barbs and charges over
alleged corruption.