Nuuk is the only place in the country where the population base can realistically support private general medical practice.
This is pointed out by a new statement commissioned by the Government of Greenland and prepared by the Center for Public Health in Greenland in collaboration with experts in health economics and health law.
The issue of private health services has been raised in continuation of the Health Agreement, where it was agreed that the possibilities for privately practicing health workers should be explored.
As the legislation stands today, it is possible to establish a private practice, and the report points out that there is already a private dentist, private midwives and private physiotherapists in Nuuk, but not a private medical practice. The current private healthcare providers all operate with 100 percent user fees.
Can increase inequality in health
The report proposes a political discussion of different solutions, and presents three overall scenarios for how and to what extent private practice should be integrated into the healthcare system.
The report states that each scenario has different advantages and disadvantages, but what they have in common is that they are expected to increase social inequality in health to varying degrees, depending on how target groups are defined and what requirements are placed on the practice.
The inequality may arise from certain citizens gaining faster access to a doctor through a private practice and thus being referred for further examination more quickly.
Regarding benefits, the report states that several key individuals highlight that a private medical practice can potentially offer services that the public healthcare system currently does not have the capacity to provide.
A private practice would also be able to accept patients with minor and uncomplicated problems, which could ultimately help to relieve the telephone queue and consultations in the public system in Nuuk.
The full report can be found on the Naalakkersuisut website.
