A comprehensive reconstruction of Hungary’s healthcare system is underway, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán declared on Wednesday at the inauguration of the newly renovated Jewish Charity Hospital in Budapest’s Zugló district.
Orbán recalled that when Andor Grósz became president of the Federation of Hungarian Jewish Communities (Mazsihisz), the government concluded three agreements with the organization. The first of these has now been fulfilled with the complete renewal of the Jewish Charity Hospital, while the others, including the renovation of the National Rabbinical Seminary, will follow.
The prime minister emphasized that the country is in the midst of a nationwide healthcare reconstruction, noting the refurbishment of 91 hospitals, 54 outpatient clinics and 107 ambulance stations, along with major upgrades at 13 hospitals in Budapest.
He added that faith-based healthcare institutions hold a special place for him, as they often provide ‘a unique quality of care’. Today, Budapest has high-standard hospitals run by Catholic, Reformed and Jewish communities alike.
Reflecting on the history of Budapest’s former Jewish hospitals, Orbán noted that two were nationalized and one was burned down by the Arrow Cross, leaving the Jewish Charity Hospital as the only one returned to the Jewish community. He stressed the importance of remembering that war brings destruction, while peace brings security, adding that Hungary’s foreign policy must do what it can, within its means, to promote peace.
Orbán said Hungary cannot resolve conflicts between great powers, but it will act wherever possible. He remarked that Hungary sometimes finds it easier to navigate relations with the United States or Russia than within the European Union, where public and private positions on war and peace often differ. Still, he said, Hungary must work to convince the EU’s majority to shift toward supporting peace. He also expressed appreciation for the support of Jewish communities across Europe and said he can rely on them in his work in Brussels.
Responding to another question, Orbán stated that Polish President Karol Nawrocki’s cancelled visit to Budapest was due to domestic political reasons. Speaking about the Visegrád Four, he said he awaits Andrej Babiš’s formal appointment as Czech prime minister, after which he will convene a V4 summit. Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency, but strategic disagreements have left the group ‘paralyzed’. Orbán hopes the new Czech government will revive cooperation.
In his remarks, Mazsihisz President Andor Grósz highlighted that the full reconstruction of the Jewish Charity Hospital was made possible with roughly 8.5 billion forints in government funding. The institution, he stressed, serves not only the Jewish community but the entire Hungarian population.
He underlined the hospital’s key role in chronic care, musculoskeletal treatment and hospice services, the latter being the largest hospice unit in the country. A new department for active inpatient care has also been established, alongside expanded specialist and outpatient services.
Grósz expressed gratitude to the government, the Jewish and non-Jewish communities, and the hospital’s staff for their support and dedication.
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