AGP Executive Report

Social Security Update: Slovakia’s Parliament has ratified a social security agreement with Moldova, so people who work (or have worked) in both countries can aggregate employment periods for pensions and other benefits—meaning fewer migrants lose social rights and each country pays its share. Hospital Construction Watch: In Prešov, the new hospital build will continue and is now expected to be completed in August 2027, with a possible trial run from March 2028; from 1 June a new consortium (“Team Slovakia”) will take over and address defects. Care Access for Rare Diseases: Families of rare-disease patients are pushing for faster, better-funded access to new medicines, including a dedicated budget line, reimbursement review, and wider early access—highlighting fears of losing a second child without treatment. Training Pressure on Slovak Doctors: A survey finds nearly three quarters of young doctors in Slovakia feel unprepared for clinical practice, citing too little hands-on training and weak support for acute decision-making and modern hospital systems. Cardio Prevention Drug Move: The EU’s medicines panel backed colchicine for secondary cardiovascular prevention in stable coronary disease, marking a notable step for an anti-inflammatory approach in EU cardiovascular prevention. Heat Health Alert: Across Europe, spring heat is spiking—Bratislava hit 30°C—and officials report heat-related deaths, raising concerns for vulnerable groups.

Heat & Safety: A spring heatwave is pushing parts of Europe into near-summer conditions, with Bratislava hitting 30°C—8°C above the usual late-May average—and officials in France reporting at least seven heat-related deaths. Hospital Watch (Slovakia): In Prešov, the new hospital build will continue under a new “Team Slovakia” consortium from 1 June, with completion targeted for August 2027 and possible trial runs in March 2028. Cardio Prevention (EU): The EMA has backed colchicine for secondary cardiovascular prevention in stable coronary disease, marking the first anti-inflammatory option authorized for this purpose in the EU. Training & Workforce (Slovakia): A survey finds nearly three quarters of young doctors in Slovakia feel unprepared for clinical practice, citing weak spots in acute decision-making and hands-on training. Public Health (EU): African swine fever outbreaks are rising across the EU, including a new farm case in Slovakia. Access to Care (EU): The European Parliament approved updated victims’ rights rules, including an EU-wide 116 006 helpline and stronger support during trials.

Hospital Delivery Watch: In Prešov, Prime Minister Robert Fico says the new hospital construction will continue, with completion planned for August 2027 and a possible trial run in March 2028; from 1 June, a new consortium (“Team Slovakia” including Skanska, Strabag and others) will take over and fix defects “on the spot.” Cardiovascular Prevention: The EU’s medicines panel backed colchicine (Colchicine Agepha Pharma) as an anti-inflammatory option for secondary prevention in stable coronary disease—marking the first authorization of an anti-inflammatory therapy for cardiovascular prevention in the EU. Young Doctors’ Readiness: A Slovak survey finds nearly three quarters of young doctors don’t feel fully prepared for clinical practice, citing weak hands-on training, limited simulation, and difficulty with acute decisions, hospital software and documentation. Workforce & Care Capacity: Slovakia is also grappling with doctor staffing patterns: the Supreme Audit Office flags that nearly half of doctors hold multiple jobs, raising concerns about quality, patient referrals, and transparency. Cross-Border Social Security: Moldova workers in Slovakia (and vice versa) will be able to aggregate contribution periods for pensions and other benefits once a bilateral social security agreement is ratified. EU Victims’ Rights: The European Parliament approved new EU rules for victims of crime, including an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, stronger privacy protections, and faster compensation.

Hospital Watch: Prime Minister Robert Fico says construction of Presov’s new hospital will continue, aiming for completion in August 2027 and a possible trial run in March 2028, with a new “Team Slovakia” consortium taking over from 1 June. Cardio Prevention: The EU’s medicines panel backed colchicine for secondary cardiovascular prevention in stable coronary disease—marking the first anti-inflammatory option authorized for this purpose in the EU. Doctor Shortage Pressure: Nearly three quarters of young doctors in Slovakia report they don’t feel fully prepared for clinical practice, citing weak spots in acute decision-making and limited hands-on training. Public Health: New ECDC data shows record rises in STIs across Europe, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging—especially among gay men. EU Victims’ Rights: The European Parliament approved updated rules for crime victims, including a new EU-wide 116 006 helpline and stronger privacy and support rights. Data Privacy Tool: A review of Incogni asks the key question—does this data-broker removal service really work?

War Q&A for Kyiv readers: A new round of questions tackles Hungary’s new PM and the EU’s blocked Ukraine loan—most likely the disbursement stays on track, with the first payment expected in early June and half (45bn euros) paid out this year, while accession talks remain trickier as some states prefer waiting until after the war. Cardiovascular prevention: The EU’s medicines panel backed colchicine for secondary prevention in stable coronary disease—an anti-inflammatory first for EU cardiovascular prevention. Slovakia’s workforce strain: Nearly three quarters of young doctors in Slovakia say they’re not fully prepared for clinical practice, citing weak spots in acute decision-making and hands-on training. Public health access gap: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for homeless people is approved and equipped, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job. Infection trends: Europe reports record STI levels, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging especially among gay men. Animal health: African swine fever hit a commercial pig farm in Slovakia (805 pigs), with culling and disinfection underway.

Drug Access Push: Slovakia’s wider region is watching a Senate call for faster, “rapid” entry of innovative oncohematology drugs into national care—aiming to cap delays at six months after EU authorization, and to ensure equal access across regions plus added psychological and social support along the cancer pathway. Care Staffing Gap: In Bratislava, the city’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is approved and equipped, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job—after pay was raised from €4,000 to €5,000 gross per month. Public Health Watch: Across Europe, STIs hit record levels, with gonorrhoea and syphilis rising sharply, especially among gay men—linked to prevention and testing gaps. EU Victims’ Rights: The European Parliament backed a stronger victims’ directive, including a new EU helpline (116 006) and better support during trials. Health Tech in Slovakia: A Slovak project (AFAROB) is using speech therapy plus social robotics and AI to help people with aphasia practice everyday communication.

Senate Push for Faster Cancer Drug Access: Spain’s Senate Health Commission is urging the government to guarantee “rapid” access to innovative onco-hematology drugs, aiming to keep the time from EU authorization to entry into the national system to no more than six months, with equal access across regions and added psychological, social, and work support along the care pathway. Slovakia’s Care Gap: In Bratislava, the city’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is ready and approved, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job—even after pay was raised to €5,000 gross per month. EU Health & Rights Update: The European Parliament has approved a revised Victims’ Rights Directive, including an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, stronger support during trials, and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence. Infectious Disease Watch: New ECDC data shows record STI levels across Europe, with the biggest rises among homosexual men. Health Tech in Slovakia: A Slovak project called AFAROB is developing AI-assisted, robot-supported speech therapy to help people with aphasia practice everyday communication.

Duchenne Support Push: A Hull mum, Michelle Beckett, whose son Ryan died aged 29 from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, has launched a support group for families facing the same incurable, muscle-wasting disease. Defence Industry in Slovakia: Reunert is expanding its ammunition fuse business, setting up a European electronic artillery fuse venture in Slovakia with a Czech partner, Fuchs Electronics Europe. Animal Health Watch: Foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks are climbing in Greece and Cyprus, and Cyprus is adjusting halloumi rules (goat milk share cut) as production is hit. EU Victims’ Rights: The European Parliament backed a stronger Victims’ Rights Directive, including a new EU helpline (116 006) and better support during trials. Slovakia’s Care Gap: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for homeless people is ready, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job. Public Health Trend: Europe reports record STI levels, with the biggest rises among gay men. Local Business & Health: African swine fever has been detected on a commercial pig farm in Slovakia, triggering culling and disinfection.

Animal Health Watch: Foot-and-mouth disease keeps spreading in the region: Cyprus reports 116 outbreaks and Greece 83, prompting Cyprus to temporarily cut the goat-milk share in halloumi from 25% to 15% until year-end. Slovakia’s Farm Alert: A first African swine fever outbreak on a commercial pig farm in 2026 has been confirmed in Slovakia (805 pigs), with culling and disinfection already underway. Care Access in the Capital: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is approved and equipped, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job, even after pay was raised to €5,000 gross per month. EU Victims’ Rights: The European Parliament has backed a stronger Victims’ Rights Directive, including an EU-wide 116 006 helpline and new support rights during trials. Sexual Health: Europe’s STI picture worsened again in 2024, with record gonorrhoea and a sharp rise in syphilis—especially among gay men—according to ECDC data.

Victims’ Rights Push: The European Parliament has finally approved the updated EU Victims’ Rights Directive, adding a new EU-wide helpline (116 006), stronger privacy protections, faster compensation, and the option to report crimes online—plus access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence. Slovakia’s Care Gap: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is ready to open, but months after approval it still can’t hire a doctor, even after raising pay to €5,000 a month. STI Warning: Europe’s STI numbers hit record levels in 2024, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging—especially among gay men—linked to prevention and testing gaps. Public Health & Work: Slovakia’s Supreme Audit Office flags that nearly half of doctors hold multiple jobs, raising concerns about quality, patient referrals, and transparency. Global Health Tech (Slovak link): Comenius University is developing AFAROB to help people with aphasia practice everyday communication using speech therapy, social robotics, and AI. Catholic Outcry: Catholic leaders worldwide protested Israel’s expanded death penalty law for Palestinians tried in military courts.

Death Penalty Protest: Hundreds of Catholic leaders protested a new Israeli law expanding the death penalty for Palestinians tried in military courts, calling it discriminatory and morally unacceptable—especially given its use in occupied territory. Victims’ Rights in the EU: The European Parliament gave final approval to a strengthened Victims’ Rights Directive, adding an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, easier online reporting, privacy protections in court, and faster compensation—plus access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors. Slovakia’s Care Gap: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is ready, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job, even after pay was raised. STI Warning: Europe’s STI rates hit record levels in 2024, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging—especially among gay men—linked to prevention and screening gaps. Local Health Innovation: A Slovak project (AFAROB) is pushing more accessible, tech-supported speech therapy for people with aphasia.

Aphasia Tech Breakthrough: A new Slovak project from Comenius University, AFAROB, is using speech therapy plus social robotics and AI to help people with aphasia practice everyday conversations—like speaking at a bank—more intensively and accessibly, without replacing therapists. Homeless Healthcare Stuck: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for people experiencing homelessness is ready, but months after approval it still can’t open because no doctor will take the job, even after raising pay to €5,000 a month. STI Alarm in Europe: A new ECDC report shows record STI levels in 2024, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging—especially among gay men—linked to prevention and testing gaps. EU Victims’ Rights Upgrade: The European Parliament approved stronger EU rules for crime victims, including an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, better court support, privacy protections, and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors. Slovak Doctors Under Scrutiny: Slovakia’s Supreme Audit Office flags that nearly half of doctors work multiple jobs, raising concerns about workload, pay, and patient referrals.

Breathing Room for Victims: The European Parliament has given final approval to the updated EU Victims’ Rights Directive, adding an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, online reporting options, stronger privacy rules in court, faster compensation payments, and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors of sexual violence. Homeless Health in Bratislava: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for rough sleepers is ready and approved, but still can’t open because no doctor will take the job—even after the charity Vagus raised pay to €5,000 gross a month. Sexual Health Alert: New ECDC data shows record STI levels across Europe, with gonorrhoea and syphilis rising sharply, especially among gay men, linked to prevention and screening gaps. Ukraine War Planning: A Globsec survey suggests a “protracted conflict” scenario is most likely for 2026–2027, pushing the focus toward Ukraine’s economic and security capacity. Public Health Staffing Pressure (Slovakia): Slovakia’s Supreme Audit Office flags that nearly half of doctors work multiple jobs, raising concerns about workload, patient referrals, and transparency.

Homeless Healthcare Gap: Bratislava’s first GP clinic for people sleeping rough is ready, but months after approval it still can’t open because Vagus can’t recruit a doctor—even after raising pay to €5,000 gross a month. Victims’ Rights Upgrade: The European Parliament gave final approval to a stronger Victims’ Rights Directive, adding an EU-wide 116 006 helpline, online reporting options, better court support, privacy protections, and access to sexual and reproductive healthcare for survivors. STI Warning for Europe: New ECDC data shows record levels of bacterial STIs, with gonorrhoea and syphilis surging—especially among gay men—linked to prevention and testing gaps. Ukraine Support & Security: At GLOBSEC 2026, delegates discussed mental and physical rehabilitation for displaced Ukrainians and protection of critical infrastructure, while EU leaders also reacted to Russia-linked threats to the Baltics. Food Waste to Food Help: Ireland’s FoodCloud model is expanding surplus-food redistribution across countries, aiming to cut food waste and food poverty by matching businesses with charities.

African swine fever surge: EFSA reports ASF outbreaks jumped 76% in EU domestic pigs in 2025 and rose 44% in wild boar, with Romania driving most cases and Spain seeing a reappearance after 31 years. Drug prevention in Dublin: A mobile “Truth About Drugs” exhibition opened at a multicultural festival, offering free, simple drug education materials and Q&A for families. Climate pressure at Starbucks: The chain’s emissions cuts per revenue look strong, but its total carbon footprint is still rising as it expands—leaving a gap between ambition and absolute impact. Local health & community: Bratislava’s Koch Garden reopened after restoration, adding a rare city-centre green space. Sports health note: Former darts world champion Michael Smith says swollen ankles have kept him from walking for days, forcing him to miss a tournament for cortisone injections. Prison strain in Europe: Council of Europe penal statistics flag worsening overcrowding and more older detainees. Slovakia-linked policy: The government approved a deal so Moldovan citizens who worked in Slovakia can access pensions and social benefits.

Baltics Security: EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen called Russia’s public threats against the Baltic states “completely unacceptable,” saying a threat to one member is a threat to the whole bloc and pointing to drones endangering people on Europe’s eastern flank. Prison Health & Care: New Council of Europe penal statistics warn that overcrowding persists across Europe and the share of older detainees is rising, raising pressure on health and support services inside prisons. Cancer Support: NCCN says its Distress Thermometer screening tool is now available in 70+ languages, helping cancer teams spot mental, physical, social, and spiritual distress quickly. Public Health Fraud Crackdown: Europol and Eurojust backed a multi-country operation targeting a €240m fake medicines and supplement network, shutting down hundreds of websites and seizing stock. Slovakia-Linked Social Rights: Moldova’s citizens who worked in Slovakia can now access pensions and social benefits under a newly approved ratification agreement. EU Pesticides: Reporting highlights the EU’s move away from binding pesticide cuts, with critics warning it could harm human health and ecosystems. Local Wellness Architecture: In Slovakia, Guča Arch’s stepped timber sauna reworks traditional wood-stacks into a modern thermal pavilion.