After over 2,000 doctors refused to work extra overtime as of September, Ombudsman dr. Zdenka Cebasek - Travnik called on them Tuesday to implement the decision in a way which would have the least impact on the patients. She is especially concerned about the impact of the decision on the quality of health care provided for children.

The doctors refuse to do overtime as of 1 September as they plan to stick to legislative provisions, which limit overtime to 8 hours a week, 20 hours a month and 170 hours a year.

Between 85% and 90% of doctors who are facing a 50% cut of stand-by duty bonuses after 1 January withdrew their consent to work extra overtime in late July.

Dr. Cebasek - Travnik pointed to the UN Convention on Children's Rights, under which children must be provided the best possible health care.

The ombudsman added in the press release that she expects the doctors' and government's representatives to find a suitable solution before there could be any unpredictable or fatal consequences for the health of children.