Péter Takács, Hungary’s State Secretary for Health, crossed a line that should never be crossed in a European country.
Following a patient complaint, he did not show empathy, did not order an investigation, and did not take responsibility. Instead, he responded aggressively — then issued what was presented as an “apology,” which in reality:
- accepted no responsibility,
- showed no empathy,
- violated professional standards,
- and ended with a political attack.
According to former members of the Hungarian Medical Chamber’s ethics committee, this was not an apology by any professional definition
.
The trigger was a basic failure: heating did not work at Saint John Hospital. In such a situation, a health leader is expected to investigate, communicate transparently, assign responsibility, and act. None of this happened.
The most alarming part came at the end: a patient complaint was turned into a political smear. Under European norms, a health official does not politicize patient suffering — and certainly does not insult citizens.
This case goes far beyond one statement.
It exposes the communication culture of the Fidesz government:
- no accountability,
- constant deflection,
- professional failure repackaged as political attack,
- and a system that believes power grants the right to humiliate citizens.
Draw your own conclusions.
This was not a mistake.
This is the system.
English subtitles are available via the CC button.