Abstract

RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to present the changes in the functioning of health care systems in Poland and the Czech Republic caused by COVID-19 and to indicate the organizational and financial challenges and the consequences that they had to face.

THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: Research methods based on inductive reasoning related to literature studies, health reports, searches of Internet resources and available databases were used to achieve the aim of this study.

THE PROCESS of ARGUMENTATION: Based on the information contained in the above-mentioned sources, secondary research was carried out, including an in-depth analysis of the most important actions taken in the surveyed countries in connection with the CoVID-19 pandemic, paying particular attention to their organizational and financial consequences. Information on the epidemiological and health situation became the background for consideration.

RESEARCH RESULTS: The primary outcome of the analysis is to show the changes occurring in health systems under the influence of COVID-19.

CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The final conclusions and recommendations are related to the identification of challenges for health systems in the next years, which include improving preparedness and resilience to public health crises. Strengthening the financial health of the health system and developing strategies and mechanisms to respond to unforeseen health challenges (e.g. pandemics) should be a key objective.