Tens of thousands of patients are waiting for hip and knee prostheses: the government aims to reduce waiting lists with a program worth 21.6 billion forints

On October 15, the Hungarian government launched a 21.6 billion HUF program aimed at reducing waiting lists for surgeries, particularly hip and knee prostheses, by 2027. The initiative targets nearly 35,000 patients currently on waiting lists, focusing on those who have waited over 180 days. The program seeks to enhance surgical capacity utilization and improve patient care predictability. Hospitals are required to review waiting lists and contact patients to assess their situations. The initiative includes financial incentives for hospitals to increase surgeries and improve patient pathways. The program also allocates funds for technological advancements to optimize surgical capacities. Continuous monitoring and quarterly evaluations will assess the program's effectiveness in reducing waiting times.