Madam, - Constantin Gurdgiev's article in your edition of August 21st was a breath of fresh air. It would appear that the tottering Swedish healthcare system is finally discovering the principles that have made the system here in Germany so effective. In essence, these are, in my view:
1. Universal health insurance administered independently of government.
2. No involvement of government in direct healthcare provision, i.e. at the operational level.
3. The role of Government confined to that of regulator and insurer of last resort.
I hope it's not too late for the Irish to learn the same lesson - though the notion of a "Health Service Executive" would suggest we're not learning any lessons at all from other countries' experience. - Yours, etc.,
NORMAN STEWART, Steinebach, Germany.