natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
The Norwegian health system Let me turn now to my second question: what are the main features of the Norwegian health system?
The Norwegian health system Let me turn now to my second question: what are the main features of the Norwegian health system?
Public health services in Norway are financed by taxation.
Public health services in Norway are financed by taxation.
Our health service is designed to be equally accessible to all residents, regardless of social or economic status.
Our health service is designed to be equally accessible to all residents, regardless of social or economic status.
With its 220 000 employees, the public health sector is one of the largest service providers in Norway.
With its 220 000 employees, the public health sector is one of the largest service providers in Norway.
Our health care system is mainly organised as a two-tier system.
Our health care system is mainly organised as a two-tier system.
The responsibility is clearly divided between the municipalities and the state:
The responsibility is clearly divided between the municipalities and the state:
The Municipalities are responsible for all primary health services.
The Municipalities are responsible for all primary health services.
This includes the promotion of health and prevention of illness and injuries as well as diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
This includes the promotion of health and prevention of illness and injuries as well as diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
Nursing care within and outside institutions is the responsibility of the municipalities.
Nursing care within and outside institutions is the responsibility of the municipalities.
So is the general practitioners scheme where all inhabitants in the municipality have the right to a general practitioner.
So is the general practitioners scheme where all inhabitants in the municipality have the right to a general practitioner.
The state is responsible for the running of all specialist health services, including the somatic and psychiatric hospitals.
The state is responsible for the running of all specialist health services, including the somatic and psychiatric hospitals.
The state has organised the specialised health service in four regions.
The state has organised the specialised health service in four regions.
Each region has an enterprise owned fully by the state.
Each region has an enterprise owned fully by the state.
The regional health enterprises own the hospitals.
The regional health enterprises own the hospitals.
They are responsible for providing specialised health care to the inhabitants in the region.
They are responsible for providing specialised health care to the inhabitants in the region.
The organisation into enterprises means that we use organisational tools from the private sector and add elements from traditional public governance to operate our welfare policy.
The organisation into enterprises means that we use organisational tools from the private sector and add elements from traditional public governance to operate our welfare policy.
Patients in Norway have a legal right to health care.
Patients in Norway have a legal right to health care.
The Patients’ Rights Act guarantees the patient’s right to care and regulates the relationship between the patient and the health service.
The Patients’ Rights Act guarantees the patient’s right to care and regulates the relationship between the patient and the health service.
Patients are entitled to information, a second opinion and free choice of hospitals.
Patients are entitled to information, a second opinion and free choice of hospitals.
There is a system for complaints and there is a Patients’ Ombudsman in each county.
There is a system for complaints and there is a Patients’ Ombudsman in each county.
When patients suffer economic loss as a consequence of medical errors a public system ensures that they are awarded compensation.
When patients suffer economic loss as a consequence of medical errors a public system ensures that they are awarded compensation.
The Coordination Reform
The Coordination Reform
In a global context Norway may appear then to have a very good health system.
In a global context Norway may appear then to have a very good health system.
But it is far from perfect.
But it is far from perfect.
That is why I have started the work with a new reform.
That is why I have started the work with a new reform.
So; what is the problem?
So; what is the problem?
We are among the countries spending the most on health and social services in the world.
We are among the countries spending the most on health and social services in the world.
One fourth of our national budget is spent on health.
One fourth of our national budget is spent on health.
Our hospital budget has doubled over the last 7 years.
Our hospital budget has doubled over the last 7 years.
However, we do not get enough health care in return.
However, we do not get enough health care in return.
The analysis is simple; how do we get more health for the money we spend?
The analysis is simple; how do we get more health for the money we spend?
In my view there is a serious lack of coordination between hospitals and primary health care.
In my view there is a serious lack of coordination between hospitals and primary health care.
There is a lack of coordination in all segments of the health care services.
There is a lack of coordination in all segments of the health care services.
There is insufficient contact between municipalities and the hospitals; between the municipalities; within the municipalities; and within the hospitals.
There is insufficient contact between municipalities and the hospitals; between the municipalities; within the municipalities; and within the hospitals.
This needs to be addressed.
This needs to be addressed.
The reform aims to address three challenges: Firstly; what financial measures may be taken to facilitate coordination between the hospitals and the municipalities?
The reform aims to address three challenges: Firstly; what financial measures may be taken to facilitate coordination between the hospitals and the municipalities?
Secondly; what legal measures may be taken?
Secondly; what legal measures may be taken?
Thirdly: How can technology improve the coordination?
Thirdly: How can technology improve the coordination?
Most importantly, it is the patients who lose out.
Most importantly, it is the patients who lose out.
What changes are needed to get good coordination that will benefit the patient?
What changes are needed to get good coordination that will benefit the patient?
They do not get the services they need.
They do not get the services they need.
The lack of coordination results in long waiting times.
The lack of coordination results in long waiting times.
Patients are shunted about in the system.
Patients are shunted about in the system.
They do not receive the necessary rehabilitation.
They do not receive the necessary rehabilitation.
This leads to sicker patients and slower recovery.
This leads to sicker patients and slower recovery.
As a result the patients require even more health care.
As a result the patients require even more health care.
Our population is getting older.
Our population is getting older.
In the year 2040 the percentage of people over 80 will double.
In the year 2040 the percentage of people over 80 will double.
I am sure you are facing the same challenge in Japan.
I am sure you are facing the same challenge in Japan.
And please don’t misunderstand me, it is positive that we are living longer.
And please don’t misunderstand me, it is positive that we are living longer.
High life expectancy implies that we have good health and a well-functioning welfare system.
High life expectancy implies that we have good health and a well-functioning welfare system.
Still, an aging population will require more health services.
Still, an aging population will require more health services.
The burden of disease is changing.
The burden of disease is changing.
The number of patients with chronic diseases is rapidly increasing.
The number of patients with chronic diseases is rapidly increasing.
More people have mental problems.
More people have mental problems.
Obesity is increasing.
Obesity is increasing.
The number of diabetes patients has increased.
The number of diabetes patients has increased.
For example; the number of patients receiving dialysis has increased by 7 per cent from 2006 to 2007.
For example; the number of patients receiving dialysis has increased by 7 per cent from 2006 to 2007.
If you look at this slide you find an overview of the course and costs related to diabetes type 2.
If you look at this slide you find an overview of the course and costs related to diabetes type 2.
The slide shows that the highest amount of resources have to be spent at an early stage.
The slide shows that the highest amount of resources have to be spent at an early stage.
As you see more efforts need to be done to prevent diabetes.
As you see more efforts need to be done to prevent diabetes.
Also guidance to patients diagnosed with diabetes is key to reducing the costs.
Also guidance to patients diagnosed with diabetes is key to reducing the costs.
Not only does this benefit the patient, it also reduces costs and beds.
Not only does this benefit the patient, it also reduces costs and beds.
In order to achieve this I believe we have to strengthen the primary health care sector.
In order to achieve this I believe we have to strengthen the primary health care sector.
Incentives for better prevention are needed.
Incentives for better prevention are needed.
Let me give you another example of what can be done: As I said earlier it is the patients who lose out.
Let me give you another example of what can be done: As I said earlier it is the patients who lose out.
They are not getting the necessary treatment at the right level.
They are not getting the necessary treatment at the right level.
Too many are hospitalised because they do not get treatment at local level.
Too many are hospitalised because they do not get treatment at local level.
This is expensive and does not benefit the patients.
This is expensive and does not benefit the patients.
In a small place in Norway called Søbstad, there is established a “health-house”.
In a small place in Norway called Søbstad, there is established a “health-house”.
When patients are discharged from hospital they receive after-treatment at the “health-house”.
When patients are discharged from hospital they receive after-treatment at the “health-house”.
These patients are still in need of medical assistance.
These patients are still in need of medical assistance.
But, they do not need to be hospitalised.
But, they do not need to be hospitalised.
After a couple of weeks at Søbstad the patients may go home.
After a couple of weeks at Søbstad the patients may go home.
An evaluation shows that compared with traditional hospitalisation that; Firstly, fewer patients admitted to Søbstad needed readmission/further treament Secondly, after being discharged most of them managed at home without assistance Third, the mortality rate after 6 and 12 months decreased Fourth, the treatment was cost-effective.
An evaluation shows that compared with traditional hospitalisation that; Firstly, fewer patients admitted to Søbstad needed readmission/further treament Secondly, after being discharged most of them managed at home without assistance Third, the mortality rate after 6 and 12 months decreased Fourth, the treatment was cost-effective.
The task I have undertaken is not easy.
The task I have undertaken is not easy.
But I believe we will succeed.
But I believe we will succeed.
I will present my proposal for reform in April this year.
I will present my proposal for reform in April this year.
I look forward to learning from your experiences.
I look forward to learning from your experiences.
As I like to say: the best knowledge is shared knowledge.
As I like to say: the best knowledge is shared knowledge.
Thank you all for listening.
Thank you all for listening.
I now look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions.
I now look forward to hearing your thoughts and questions.
Current Challenges in Norwegian Health Care Policies
Current Challenges in Norwegian Health Care Policies
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Friends and Colleagues,
I am happy to be here.
I am happy to be here.
And -- I am happy to see so many representatives from civil society, government and businesses together.
And -- I am happy to see so many representatives from civil society, government and businesses together.
We are here-- together-- because rainforests are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.
We are here-- together-- because rainforests are one of the most important ecosystems on the planet.
Living rainforests capture and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
Living rainforests capture and store massive amounts of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
The carbon stored in the rainforests in Central Africa equals for example 2000 years of Norwegian emissions.
The carbon stored in the rainforests in Central Africa equals for example 2000 years of Norwegian emissions.
Rainforests contribute to the planets water cycle and influence rainfall patterns globally.
Rainforests contribute to the planets water cycle and influence rainfall patterns globally.
They provide a safety net of shelter, food and income to some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.
They provide a safety net of shelter, food and income to some of the world's poorest and most vulnerable people.
They provide a home and cultural identity to indigenous peoples worldwide.
They provide a home and cultural identity to indigenous peoples worldwide.
The importance of the rainforests is unquestionable.
The importance of the rainforests is unquestionable.
A little more than one year ago, I invited many of you to a breakfast meeting at the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
A little more than one year ago, I invited many of you to a breakfast meeting at the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
It was the last thing I did before leaving for the UN Climate Summit in New York.
It was the last thing I did before leaving for the UN Climate Summit in New York.
There we launched the New York Declaration on Forests.
There we launched the New York Declaration on Forests.
Countries, companies, civil society organizations and indigenous peoples' groups signed up to halting deforestation by 2020 and ending it by 2030.
Countries, companies, civil society organizations and indigenous peoples' groups signed up to halting deforestation by 2020 and ending it by 2030.
Since then we have seen increasing private sector commitments to deforestation free supply chains.
Since then we have seen increasing private sector commitments to deforestation free supply chains.
At the breakfast meeting last year, I said that 60 per cent of all trade in palm oil was deforestation free.
At the breakfast meeting last year, I said that 60 per cent of all trade in palm oil was deforestation free.
That number is now 96 per cent!
That number is now 96 per cent!
There are signs that other commodities will follow.
There are signs that other commodities will follow.
This year two of the world's biggest traders in grains -- ADM and Bunge --have committed to deforestation free soy.
This year two of the world's biggest traders in grains -- ADM and Bunge --have committed to deforestation free soy.
However, progress does not only happen abroad.
However, progress does not only happen abroad.
Orkla, Rema1000 and Norgesgruppen have all made strong commitments to ensure that palm oil in their products are sustainable and does not cause deforestation.
Orkla, Rema1000 and Norgesgruppen have all made strong commitments to ensure that palm oil in their products are sustainable and does not cause deforestation.
Their action has been noticed abroad and has contributed to the international progress for deforestation free palm oil.
Their action has been noticed abroad and has contributed to the international progress for deforestation free palm oil.
This morning I met with the key representatives from the Norwegian food and feed industry.
This morning I met with the key representatives from the Norwegian food and feed industry.
Denofa, Felleskjøpet Agri, Felleskjøpet Rogaland Agder, Norgesfôr and Fiskå Mølle are pledging to use only soy from sources certified as deforestation free.
Denofa, Felleskjøpet Agri, Felleskjøpet Rogaland Agder, Norgesfôr and Fiskå Mølle are pledging to use only soy from sources certified as deforestation free.
The companies also support actions to improve forest and land-use beyond their own chains of supply.
The companies also support actions to improve forest and land-use beyond their own chains of supply.
This shows a serious, responsible, forward-looking industry that use their presence on the ground in Brazil to drive change in a positive direction.
This shows a serious, responsible, forward-looking industry that use their presence on the ground in Brazil to drive change in a positive direction.
Their announcement is an inspiration to me, and a perfect start to this day!
Their announcement is an inspiration to me, and a perfect start to this day!
I hope it will inspire other businesses to do the same.
I hope it will inspire other businesses to do the same.
Since September last year, 41 companies -- with 1.4 trillion dollars in annual revenue -- have endorsed the New York Declaration on Forests.
Since September last year, 41 companies -- with 1.4 trillion dollars in annual revenue -- have endorsed the New York Declaration on Forests.
Norwegian businesses make up 25 percent of these, which make you one of the largest groups of endorsers, only beaten in numbers by companies from the US.
Norwegian businesses make up 25 percent of these, which make you one of the largest groups of endorsers, only beaten in numbers by companies from the US.
For one small moment, I think we shall allow ourselves to be proud.
For one small moment, I think we shall allow ourselves to be proud.
But just for a moment, of course.
But just for a moment, of course.
Over time, commitments only have value if they are followed by changing practices on the ground.
Over time, commitments only have value if they are followed by changing practices on the ground.
Preferably also by public policies to level the economic playing field in favor of such practices.
Preferably also by public policies to level the economic playing field in favor of such practices.
This part of the work has just started.
This part of the work has just started.
And it comes with layers of complexity.
And it comes with layers of complexity.
Land rights issues need to be resolved.
Land rights issues need to be resolved.
Small scale farmers have to change their practices.
Small scale farmers have to change their practices.
Policy changes enhancing sustainable practices must be invoked.
Policy changes enhancing sustainable practices must be invoked.
Knowledge must be shared.
Knowledge must be shared.
Capacity built.
Capacity built.
I know that you will discuss some of these issues today.
I know that you will discuss some of these issues today.
I hope sharing experiences will help us all to take the next step for deforestation free agricultural commodities.
I hope sharing experiences will help us all to take the next step for deforestation free agricultural commodities.
One month ago, I visited Mato Grosso in Brazil.
One month ago, I visited Mato Grosso in Brazil.
A province three times the size of Norway.
A province three times the size of Norway.
It still has 60 percent natural forest and wetlands cover.
It still has 60 percent natural forest and wetlands cover.
It also has large-scale soy and beef production.
It also has large-scale soy and beef production.
I participated in a discussion panel consisting of representatives from national and regional government as well as private businesses and banks.
I participated in a discussion panel consisting of representatives from national and regional government as well as private businesses and banks.
We were discussing how Mato Grosso could become a showcase of inclusive green growth.
We were discussing how Mato Grosso could become a showcase of inclusive green growth.
And a risk-free sourcing region for agricultural commodities.
And a risk-free sourcing region for agricultural commodities.
In Mato Grosso and elsewhere, there is growing recognition that one actor alone cannot reduce deforestation.
In Mato Grosso and elsewhere, there is growing recognition that one actor alone cannot reduce deforestation.
All stakeholders must work together.
All stakeholders must work together.
Now, the alignment of interests is striking.
Now, the alignment of interests is striking.
Forest countries are facing serious challenges due to deforestation.
Forest countries are facing serious challenges due to deforestation.
Sinking water levels, fires, erosion and decreasing food security are some.
Sinking water levels, fires, erosion and decreasing food security are some.
Donor countries -- like Norway -- have set aside substantial funding for cost effective, international climate mitigation initiatives.
Donor countries -- like Norway -- have set aside substantial funding for cost effective, international climate mitigation initiatives.
Private businesses have committed to zero deforestation in their supply chains.
Private businesses have committed to zero deforestation in their supply chains.
They are now relying on increased supply of sustainable and deforestation free commodities.
They are now relying on increased supply of sustainable and deforestation free commodities.
Civil society organizations, like Rainforest Foundation, have been promoting this agenda longer than most of us.
Civil society organizations, like Rainforest Foundation, have been promoting this agenda longer than most of us.
Gaining valuable knowledge and experience on the way.
Gaining valuable knowledge and experience on the way.
In addition, I note that some governments explore the possibility of implementing public procurement policies that do not contribute to deforestation.
In addition, I note that some governments explore the possibility of implementing public procurement policies that do not contribute to deforestation.
Focusing on sustainable palm oil could be a first step.
Focusing on sustainable palm oil could be a first step.
Norway will seek close cooperation with other signatories when considering how to follow up the New York Declaration in this regard.
Norway will seek close cooperation with other signatories when considering how to follow up the New York Declaration in this regard.
Together we have a unique opportunity to build public-private partnerships for production and protection.
Together we have a unique opportunity to build public-private partnerships for production and protection.
Food must be produced smarter, more efficiently and without destroying rainforests.
Food must be produced smarter, more efficiently and without destroying rainforests.
We need to demonstrate that forest protection can go hand-in-hand with income generation, employment opportunities and social development.
We need to demonstrate that forest protection can go hand-in-hand with income generation, employment opportunities and social development.
Lastly, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Rainforest Foundation Norway.
Lastly, I would like to extend my appreciation to the Rainforest Foundation Norway.
The fact that we are all here together today-- agreeing on the importance of rainforests-- is largely caused by the pioneer work of Rainforest Foundation Norway and others like them.
The fact that we are all here together today-- agreeing on the importance of rainforests-- is largely caused by the pioneer work of Rainforest Foundation Norway and others like them.
I am therefore extremely happy that the Rainforest Foundation is the recipient of the Norwegian national TV fund-raising campaign this year, the so-called TV-aksjonen.
I am therefore extremely happy that the Rainforest Foundation is the recipient of the Norwegian national TV fund-raising campaign this year, the so-called TV-aksjonen.