FAQ · Living & People 28

A data page sourced to the WHO and UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme says that 99,24 percent of people in the Slovak Republic used safely managed drinking water services in 2020. That figure is the highest in the twenty-year series shown, while the lowest is 92,18 percent in 2001. Safely managed drinking water means an improved source that is on the premises, available when needed, and free from faecal and priority chemical contamination. The improved sources named on the page are piped water, boreholes or tubewells, protected dug wells, protected springs, and packaged or delivered water. The programme builds the estimates from administrative records, national censuses and nationally representative household surveys, and it releases a national figure only when quality data exist together with data on accessibility or availability. The page states that it was last updated on 28 December 2019 and that its series concerns drinking water rather than a separate sanitation rate.

The life expectancy in Slovakia has shown various changes from 1994 to 2023. In 1994, the life expectancy was 72.3295. This figure generally increased over the following decades, reaching 78.3414 by 2023. There were some fluctuations observed during this period, such as a decrease in 2021 to 74.5901. Overall, the data tracks the longevity trends within the country across these years.

During the period of re-Slovakization in 1946, ethnic Hungarians faced significant pressure to change their nationality to Slovak. If they did not officially accept Slovak nationality, they were dropped from the social and healthcare system. This policy was part of a broader effort to eliminate the Magyar nationality within Czechoslovakia. Many individuals applied for re-Slovakization certificates to secure Czechoslovak citizenship and maintain their rights. Eventually, the re-Slovakization commission ceased its operations in December 1948.

The healthcare system in Slovakia consists of both public and private sectors. Public health is funded largely through taxation, with costs shared between employees and employers. There are three health insurance companies, including the state-run Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa and two private companies named Union and Dôvera. These insurance companies hold contracts with various providers such as hospitals, pharmacies, and outpatient clinics. While the system covers many services, it does not cover all costs, including dental treatment and certain medicines. The government also pays health insurance for specific groups like children, students, and pensioners.

The public health system in Slovakia is largely funded through taxation. Costs for national health insurance are shared between employees and employers, while sole traders pay the full amount. There are three health insurance companies in the country, including the state-run Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa and two private companies named Union and Dôvera. These insurance companies maintain contracts with various providers such as outpatient clinics and pharmacies. It is important to note that insurance does not cover all costs, including dental treatment and some medicines.

There are no over-the-counter drugs sold in supermarkets or drug stores in Slovakia. You will need to head to a pharmacy even if you only need an aspirin. Even in smaller cities, there should be one open 24/7. Look out for the nearest green cross sign to find a location. If you need a specific medicine, make sure you have your prescription ready as many drugs require it.

You cannot find over the counter drugs in supermarkets or drug stores in Slovakia. You will need to head to a pharmacy even if you only need something as simple as an aspirin. Even in smaller cities, there should be one pharmacy open 24/7. Look for the nearest green cross sign to find a location. If a pharmacy is closed, a sign in the door will point you towards the nearest open one. Make sure to have your prescription ready if you need a specific medicine.

No vaccination is necessary to visit or stay in Slovakia. However, a tick vaccination is recommended if you plan to visit countryside areas. Hepatitis A and B vaccination is also advisable as with all European countries. Ticks can be found in countryside forests and sometimes in larger parks. In some areas, these ticks may carry tick-borne encephalitis.

During the pandemic, Slovakia implemented several strict precautions to control the virus. The government banned personal international flights and unnecessary foreign travel while restarting border controls. A compulsory 14-day quarantine was required for everyone returning from abroad. Various other measures included closing schools, suspending events, and making face masks compulsory in public. Additionally, non-essential stores were closed and a curfew was implemented during the Easter season.

Tomáš Drucker is a Slovak manager and politician who served as the Minister of Health from 2016 to 2018. During his time in this role, he focused on the digitalization of the Slovak healthcare system. His efforts included filing criminal reports and canceling certain contracts within the system. He also worked to implement changes regarding hospital management. These actions were part of his broader tenure in various high-level government positions.

During the communist era, the state implemented a pro-population policy to encourage growth. This policy included extending the duration of maternity leave and increasing child allowances. Newlyweds were also provided with attractive state loans through subsidies. These measures contributed to a significant baby boom that culminated in 1974. However, the state's financial reserves for these policies eventually reached their limits in the late 1970s.

Slovakia is a party to several international agreements concerning air pollution. These include agreements on nitrogen oxides, sulfur, and volatile organic compounds. The country is also a party to agreements regarding persistent organic pollutants. These international commitments show the nation's involvement in managing various types of atmospheric pollution. This framework helps address different aspects of environmental protection.

The entire population of Slovakia has access to a safe-drinking water source. The country has one of the best quality tap water in the world. Groundwater is the drinking water source of the highest quality and is protected by the Constitution of Slovakia. Both groundwater and surface water are exploited as drinking water sources. This makes the water supply highly reliable for residents and visitors alike.

The total number of hospitalizations has grown to 60, which represents 43% of all cases. The remaining cases are currently under home isolation. Some individuals have been placed in the Quarantine Center in Gabčíkovo after returning from places like Austria and the United Kingdom. To manage the spread, hospitals such as the one at Kramáre have set up tents for triaging and testing. Additionally, the Kardiocentrum Nitra closed and quarantined its staff following the admission of a suspected case.

The municipality of Žehra lies at an altitude of 450 metres (1,480 ft). This elevation is relatively low compared to high mountain ranges. Because of this specific altitude, the provided information does not mention any risks regarding altitude sickness. Visitors should consider the local elevation when planning their trips. The area is primarily known for its historical church and local community.

In case of an emergency, you may dial 112, which is the universal European emergency number. You can also dial 150 for the fire brigade, 155 for an ambulance, and 158 for the police. For specific rescue needs, dial 18300 for the Mountain Rescue Service or 18155 for the Air Rescue Service. You may dial these emergency numbers from any phone for free. These services are available to help you throughout the country.

Slovakia provides emergency electricity assistance to Ukraine rather than a constant flow of power. This aid is specifically intended to help stabilize the Ukrainian grid during critical blackouts. The assistance is designed to facilitate a system restart for their network. Prime Minister Fico has formally requested the immediate termination of this emergency assistance. This clarification highlights the specific nature of the power support provided.

The library space provides coverage with its own Wi-Fi network throughout the entire area. Users are able to work using their own mobile devices while in the space. This facility includes a specialized collection of English economic literature. The library is located in the main building on Štúrova street 51. It also offers various digital services and an academic digital repository.

In the event of a medical emergency, you can dial 155 to reach an ambulance. You may also use the universal European emergency number 112 from any phone for free. These emergency numbers are accessible from any phone without charge. If you are in a mountainous area, you can dial 18300 for the Mountain Rescue Service or 18155 for the Air Rescue Service. These services are available to assist you during urgent situations.

Veterinarians have long recommended specific hygiene standards for the people, tools, and spaces used during the butchering process. All individuals involved in the slaughter must be healthy and wear appropriate clothing, including a hat, apron, and boots. It is also necessary to maintain clean hands throughout the activity. Tools such as knives, axes, and saws must be sharpened, cleaned, and disinfected before they are used. These tools should be kept in a clean place, preferably in a toolbox around the butcher's belt. Finally, the location for the killing must be a clean concrete surface equipped with a sewer canal.

If you are registering with a train company, you must provide a specific photograph. The required size for the photo is 2x3 cm. It should be up-to-date, unused, professional, sharp, and bright enough. The image must depict you from the front. You should not wear any headwear or have a distracting background in the photo.

There were four national television channels available in 2024. Jednotka is a family-oriented generalist channel that broadcasts news, documentaries, movies, and major sports events. Dvojka focuses on nature-oriented shows, documentaries, and classic or art foreign films with Slovak subtitles. The Šport channel provides 24-hour broadcasting of live sports events, news, and lifestyle magazines. Finally, the 24 news channel was launched to provide regular news blocks and current affairs programs.

The national football team is typically referred to as the Repre in informal conversation. In 2016, the nickname Slovenskí sokoli was also introduced and is now often used in the media. The team plays its home matches at the Tehelné pole in Bratislava and the Štadión Antona Malatinského in Trnava. In the past, games have been played at various other venues including locations in Košice, Nitra, Dubnica nad Váhom, and Prešov. The Štadión pod Dubňom in Žilina was used between 2003 and 2015 but is no longer used due to artificial grass installation.

The Slovakia national football team plays its home matches at Tehelné pole in Bratislava and the Štadión Antona Malatinského in Trnava. In the past, home games have occasionally been played at other venues. These locations include Všešportový areál and Štadión Lokomotívy in Košice, as well as Štadión pod Zoborom in Nitra. Other past venues include Mestský štadión in Dubnica nad Váhom and Tatran Stadion in Prešov. Notably, Štadión pod Dubňom in Žilina was used from 2003 to 2015 but cannot be used due to artificial grass installation in 2016.

Aquapark Tatralandia Holiday Resort is the biggest aqua-park in Slovakia and one of the biggest in Central Europe. It is located in Ráztoky, 4 km north-west from the town of Liptovský Mikuláš. The resort features nine thermal pools, with six of them remaining open all year-round. Two of the pools are covered and maintain a water temperature of around 38 °C. The facility is located near the Tatra Mountains and is open daily from 10am to 10pm.

Tramping and campfire gatherings held cultural and social importance even during World War II when forest activities were illegal. American musical expressions used in these gatherings eventually became more uniquely Czech and politically potent. During the communist era, tramping music was more tolerated than rock and roll or jazz. Following the Velvet Revolution, interest in tramping waned due to easier international travel and less free time. Today, the practice has become more relevant primarily for its sense of nostalgia.

The legend of Lehel's Horn tells of a Hungarian hero who used a horn to prepare for his final confrontation with an emperor. According to the Chronicon Pictum, Lehel requested his horn before replying to the emperor's questions. He used the moment of receiving the horn to strike and kill the emperor instantly. This story was a clever re-interpretation of the death of Duke Henry of Bavaria. Today, a Byzantine ivory horn from the 10th to 11th centuries is displayed in a museum.

The Jessenius Faculty of Medicine is a medical school of Comenius University in Martin, Slovakia, and it is the only one of the university's thirteen faculties that is not in Bratislava. Its major teaching hospital is the Martin University Hospital, which is ranked among the best hospitals in Slovakia and, as of 2011, second in the country. The school has been ranked number one in Slovakia by the Slovak University Ranking and Rating Association and is described as one of the top medical schools in Central Europe. Along with Slovak-taught programs, it offers a six-year English-language medicine program leading to the title Doctor of Medicine, plus doctoral programs in medicine and odontology and master's programs in nursing and public health. Since 2001 it has published Acta Medica Martiniana in English, with three issues a year. The dean since 2018 is Andrea Čalkovská, a professor of physiology, who succeeded the gynecologist Ján Danko.