To strengthen the power of the public in dealing with prospective health care responsibilities; to this aim, the public and NGOs should be informed about the possible alternatives in the social economic development and the possibilities to influence the implementation of these alternatives.

To form the infrastructure for the public debates on the goals of social economic development and the ways of achieving these goals, as well as to form the traditions of debates.

To strengthen the prerequisites that would allow public groups to influence the adoption of decisions on the regional and national level.

To optimize the political decisions to reflect the interests of the population (including minorities and socially vulnerable groups) more fully.

Discussion in Panevėžys (In Lithuanian)

Discussion in Vilnius (In Lithuanian)

HEC continues a public debate cycle on the hottest issues within health sector scope. Two discussions were organised on the topic "Public health – what is behind it?" The first one on May 14 in Panevezys (In Lithuanian) and the second one on May 29, 2003 in Vilnius (In Lithuanian) (the Conference Hall of the OSF). A very honourful auditorium consisting of representatives from the academic institutions, national, regional and municipal authorities as well as from public health institutions has gathered for the discussion and tried to share their experience and perceptions reflecting the actuality of recent days. Professionals already working in health and public health sectors, municipality physicians, representatives from \national health board, university students, physicians and all who are concerned with public health issue have joined the discussion very actively.

The discussion number six:
"The method of salary payment to the family doctor in Lithuania"

The last sixth discussion about the method of salary payment to the family doctor in Lithuania took place in November 26, 2003. The problems and achievements of the various ways of payment in the institutions different in their administration were discussed as well as the experience in possibility of increasing the salary for family doctors. The Minister of Health, the officials of the Ministry of Health, doctors and the others concerned with the problem actively participated in the discussion.The Minister of Health J.Olekas, Minister’s adviser N.Maciuliene, the heads of the health care institutions, doctors and the representatives of the Territorial Patient Fund read their reports during the discussion – conference.The participants of the discussion evaluated 10 main suggestions, which could influence the family doctors payment.

This discussion got a response in one of the main newspaper specializing in public health. Sadly the journalists, who wrote about the discussion sponsored by ALF and organized by HEC didn’t make an effort to find out who had organized it and mixed the institutions. More about discussion (in Lithuanian)