Health sector structures: the case of Poland

A 'portrait' of the health system in Poland is presented in the context of Polish historical, political, cultural and socio-economical developments. As a sensitive indicator of overall societal functioning, the health system suffers from the grave systemic pathologies which are reflected in petrified, rigid structures, a continuous underfinancing and underinvestment, and a lack of adequate information. It is argued that: several problems of the Polish health system are characteristic of industrialized countries; the National Health Care in Poland bears more responsibilities than the National Health Care in Britain; the Polish health system deserves special appreciation for its desperate coping in the most difficult situation.