In an effort to radically reform and improve the national health system, the Polish government is planning to introduce an electronic health management system, which will make access to the public healthcare easier.

Starting from 2013, Poland will embark on issuing for every citizen electronic health cards that will contain information about the patients' health condition, medical diagnosis and any prescription given. The medication data will be read at the pharmacy easily, thus reducing any complains about doctors' indecipherable handwriting.

Furthermore, the new system is expected to yield savings about 4 billion zloty (approx. €1 billion) on an annual basis, as it will eliminate phenomena of identity fraud. The reform of the Polish healthcare system will cost 800 million zloty (approx. €197 million), 85 % of which will be financed with the European Union's funds.

According to the European Health Consumer Index, there is still room for improvement in the Polish health care system. Poland is ranked 26th among the EU Member States, as stated in the EU health standards rating.

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• Original news article - Thenews.pl