The Polish healthcare system from the perspective of seniors and migrants

According to the Central Statistical Office (2021: 13) the population of elderly people (60+) in Poland is approximately 25.6%, and this percentage is still growing. Projections show that in 2030 – 29% of the population in Poland will be 60+, in 2040 – 34.4%, and in 2050 – 40.4% (Central Statistical Office, 2021: 23).

Due to the current political situation in the world, Poland has become a destination for many migrants from Ukraine. In April 2022 25% of the population in Gdańsk were migrants from Ukraine (Wojdat, Cywinski, 2022: 22).This group also includes seniors. It causes many challenges, including financial and systemic ones, to match the quality of medical care and access to services for the elderly.

Poland provides universal access to health care for the citizens, including a special health care programs for seniors. However, medical staff shortages and the number of beds in hospitals, a certain number of services in public clinics or hospitals cause that a patient often has to wait a long time for a treatment. It affects both the effectiveness of treatment and the quality of life among citizens

By Weronika Kaminska