Every Hungarian is responsible for every other Hungarian, the Minister of Human Capacities stated at the online press conference of the Operational Group responsible for the containment of the coronavirus infection held on Friday.

Miklós Kásler pointed out that Hungarian health care had proved its worth. Physicians are engaged in a heroic fight, caring for patients infected in the coronavirus epidemic.

He said Hungary had survived the first phase of the epidemic “exceptionally favourably” compared with all European countries; incidences started at a delay of two to three weeks. This is owing to the fact, he said, that the government adopted accurate and important decisions at the right time, and Hungarian health care responded to the epidemic in an organised manner both from a disease control point of view and at the level of hospitals.

In the present situation, in the phase of group incidences, we must use the next two to three weeks to prepare the Hungarian health care system for the phase of mass incidences in the thousands, he underlined.

With this in mind, they have assessed the available capacities, the number of hospital beds, intensive care units, the medical equipment, supplies and reserves of hospitals, the available staff of physicians and nurses, and medical qualifications.

Mr Kásler also mentioned that the Hungarian government had made possible the use of all available financial resources; there is no upper limit on this budget.

The necessary plans have been completed, but at this point the most important part of prevention is to avoid group gatherings, primarily with the elderly, while persons suffering from chronic diseases should not leave their homes.

According to the Minister, health care has responded to the crisis in a disciplined manner, while the people are behaving in a way which reflects they know that “every Hungarian is responsible for every other Hungarian”. He said this is what he asks and expects of them also in the future.

The Hungarian health care system has proved its worth; Hungarian physicians and nurses are able and well-equipped to provide the appropriate treatment for everyone, Mr Kásler stressed, adding that patients’ interests are foremost.

(Ministry of Human Capacities/MTI)