On Sunday, Poland’s Health Minister announced a grant of nearly PLN 90 million to Sanitation Superintendent Krzysztof Saczka. The funding is earmarked to support the adaptation and modernization of sanepids across Poland at the poviat level, strengthening regional health infrastructure.
That same day, the minister toured the Piła district stadium, where residents could access free medical tests through the Mobile Health Zone. He framed the initiative as more than a testing service. It is a push to encourage all Poles to adopt healthier lifestyles, building a durable health capital that supports longer, more comfortable lives.
Prevention remains central. It is important to note that over two-thirds of personal health outcomes hinge on daily choices like diet, physical activity, and regular screenings—especially when diseases first emerge. The Piła visit showcased how cities can spark interest in healthier living while enabling essential medical screenings in communities that need them most.
– the minister added.
During remarks, Niedzielski explained that his Sunday stop also aimed to help create a healthcare system ready for future health crises.
A check for almost PLN 90 million
At a press conference, the minister presented Chief Sanitation Inspector Krzysztof Saczka with a PLN 86.4 million grant. The funds come from European Union sources and are intended to bolster the resilience of Poland’s health system. The minister emphasized that the money would be used to modernize sanepids at the poviat level, advancing the ongoing modernization efforts across the sanitary inspection network.
He described the grant as a further step in the ongoing modernization of sanepids, moving toward a more integrated and efficient public health framework.
The minister noted that the pandemic exposed gaps in automation and field-ready infrastructure. Computers, laptops, and other digital tools were often insufficient for fieldwork. The current phase marks a new push that builds on the rapid actions begun in 2020 and accelerates broader modernization.
– he assured.
“The sanitary inspection faced a huge challenge”
Superintendent Saczka recalled the early days of the pandemic as a period of extraordinary strain for the sanitary inspection. Staff faced a wide range of tasks with limited hardware or systems to support them, necessitating rapid improvements in working conditions, laboratory equipment, and technical capabilities.
He explained that the new funding would enable significant upgrades to laboratories and the equipment used by frontline teams. It would also accelerate the development of the IT backbone for the State Health Inspectorate, a system designed to support epidemic response and data management in the field.
– Saczka noted.
Officials stressed that modernization is about changing the face of the sanitary inspection, making it more capable, responsive, and ready for ongoing public health challenges.
“Healthy living”
During the same event, a symbolic PLN 3 million grant was presented to the state sanitary and epidemiological station in Piła. The funds will support construction work and the purchase of laboratory equipment, reinforcing the region’s capacity to conduct critical tests and analyses.
The Piła health day also drew notable participants, including Marcin Martyniak of the Health Ministry, Bartłomiej Chmielowiec, an advocate for patients’ rights, Agnieszka Pachciarz of the Wielkopolska Regional Branch of the National Health Fund in Poznań, along with several parliamentarians and local officials. The event highlighted the link between public health education, prevention programs, and accessible medical services.
The Mobile Health Zone in Piła forms part of the Healthy Life project, supported by the Office of the President and the First Lady. The program brings free specialized examinations and consultations to mobile health sites, alongside health education and preventive initiatives. The effort is a collaboration among the Health Ministry, the State Assets Ministry, the National Health Fund, and PZU SA, with the goal of expanding preventive care across communities.
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