Health minister and STT chief discuss corruption in healthcare and information sharing

Lithuania’s Health Minister Marija Jakubauskienė met with Linas Pernavas, director of the Special Investigation Service (STT), on Thursday to discuss increasing transparency in the healthcare sector, inter-institutional cooperation in combating corruption, and strategic prevention measures, the Health Ministry reported.

“A transparent healthcare system is the foundation of public trust in the state. Constructive inter-institutional cooperation allows us to respond promptly to emerging challenges. Our common goal is to ensure that decisions serve the people of Lithuania, so fairness, clarity in lawmaking, openness, and active dialogue remain key priorities,” Jakubauskienė was quoted as saying.

The meeting also covered possibilities for regularly exchanging up-to-date information, sharing insights on corruption prevention in the healthcare system, providing expert assistance, and monitoring the implementation of systemic changes.

Pernavas said a transparent, public-interest-driven legal framework is one of the most important prerequisites for a corruption-resistant healthcare system. “The STT will continue to cooperate with the Health Ministry, providing expert support to ensure that decisions are well-founded, resistant to corruption risks, and meet public expectations and interests,” he said.

The two institutions agreed to continue close cooperation, expand active dialogue, and focus on the smooth implementation of systemic changes and practical application of transparency standards in healthcare facilities.

As previously reported by BNS, a corruption map of Lithuania published in February showed that residents and public servants consider the healthcare system one of the most corrupt, with healthcare institutions most frequently cited as corrupt entities.