Komparace zdravotních systémů České republiky a Belgie v letech 2014 – 2024

This bachelor’s thesis focuses on a comparative analysis of the healthcare systems of the Czech Republic and Belgium in the period 2014–2024, with an emphasis on financing, accessibility, and health outcomes. The aim of the thesis is to compare the healthcare systems of the Czech Republic and Belgium, identify the main differences and common development trends, and assess which elements of the Belgian system may serve as an inspiration for the further development of the Czech healthcare system. The theoretical part defines the basic concepts related to healthcare and presents models of healthcare financing, with particular attention to the Bismarck model. The practical part focuses on the comparison of selected indicators, especially healthcare expenditure, financing structure, system capacity, and population health outcomes. The analysis shows that Belgium consistently allocates a higher volume of resources to healthcare, both as a share of GDP and per capita, and achieves more favourable health outcomes. In contrast, the Czech healthcare system is characterized by a lower level of out-of-pocket payments and a stronger reliance on public financing, while maintaining relatively good health outcomes despite lower overall expenditure. Both systems face similar challenges related to population ageing, rising healthcare costs, and shortages of healthcare personnel. At the same time, both systems are undergoing a gradual transformation in the structure of care, particularly through the strengthening of outpatient and long-term care and a reduction in hospital bed capacity. The thesis contributes to a better understanding of the differences between healthcare systems and suggests that key areas of inspiration for the Czech Republic include strengthening the role of primary care, improving the coordination of healthcare services, and enhancing the efficiency of resource allocation.