Malopolskie (Poland)

Malopolskie

Małopolska is situated in the south of Poland. It is adjacent to Śląskie, Świętokrzyskie and Podkarpackie regions. In the South, the region borders on the Slovak Republic. The region has an area of 15 190 square km and thus is one of Poland’s smaller regions (it ranks 12^th in terms of area). On the other hand, Małopolska is the 4^th largest region in Poland in terms of population (3,254,000). Therefore its population density is among the highest in Poland (Małopolska – 214 persons/square km, national avarage – 122 persons/square km). The capital of the region is Kraków – the ancient capital of Poland. The varied landscape and natural environment are distinguishing features of Małopolska. Together with its rich cultural heritage, they make the region one of the most important tourist destinations in Poland.

Facts about Malopolskie

The population of Małopolska Region has definitely been growing at the most rapid pace of all Polish regions. This is not only the result of a high birth rate (Małopolska ranks fourth in Poland in this respect) but also of a positive migration rate – here Małopolska ranks second in Poland, immediately after Mazowieckie Region. Among the arrivals, foreigners constitute a large group. The Kraków metropolitan area has the largest number of inhabitans (over 1 milion), followed by Tarnów (118,000) and Nowy Sącz (85,000).

Well-educated and mobile employees form a major element in the Małopolska labour market (particularly within the Kraków conurbation). The unemployment rate in Małopolska is markedly lower than the Polish average - it currently stands at 14.7% while the national average is 18.9% (end of September 2004). The only Polish region with a lower unemployment rate is Mazowieckie Region. Within the region, Kraków has the lowest proportion of unemployed in the workforce (7,6%) and Nowosądecki Powiat has the highest (28,4%).

The Małopolska region is ranked second in Poland in terms of its cultural potential and third with regard to the number of university students. The 31 universities and colleges in Małopolska are attended by over 170,000 students.The Jagiellonian University, which was founded over 600 years ago, has been named the best university in Poland in restigious rankings. New private schools are being established, courses in new subjects adapted to the changing labour market emerge and the number of academic teachers is rising (currently there are almost 11,000 of them).

Government

Małopolska Region is composed of 22 powiats – district (which include 3 cities with the status of powiats) and 182 gminas – municipalities. Altogether, there are 55 towns and 2 635 villages in Małopolska.
The responsibilities of the regional local government include, inter alia, the administration of regional transport, the management of regional cultural institution (e.g. museums and theatres) as well as major hospitals, vocational institutions of higher education and specialist schools. The powiat (district) local government is responsible for secondary schools, certain hospitals, district community centers and district roads. The gmina (municipal) local government deals with primary and lower schools, basic health services, municipal community centers, local transport and roads. The Sejmik (parliament) of the region as well as powiat and gmina boards are elected in direct elections. Center and right-wing parties have traditionally dominated in Małopolska.

Economy

Małopolska is an economically varied region. Traditional industries such as metallurgy or heavy industry are no longer the mainstay of the region's economy and new, innovative industries are developing quickly. Research and development outlays in Małopolska are almost twice as high as the national average, reaching almost PLN 500 million in 2002. Economically, the region is a strong one - it produces 5,5% of Poland's GDP (the fourth largest figure among Polish regions).

Health System

Inhabitants of Małopolska typically live longer than the rest of the Polish population: the average life expectancy in the region is among the highest in the entire country. Access to doctors - both general practitioners and specialists - is easier than in other regions. In 2003, health care services financed by social insurance were provided to patients in 65 hospitals with almost 18,000 beds in Małopolska. There were 16 private health care hospitals with 619 beds in total. In 2003, the number of beds at such establishments rose by 8,6%. The largest increases occurred with regard to gynaecology and obstetrics, neonatology, addiction treatment and vascular surgery wards. Spa treatments, which are based on natural resources such as mineral waters, mudbaths and a mild climate, constitute an important branch of health care in Małopolska. Szczawnica, Rabka and Krynica are among the most popular Polish health resorts. There are 140 sanatoria in total in Małopolska health resorts which specialise in the treatment of e.g. respiratory, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases.

Department of Social Policy of Marshal Office of Małopolska Region

Marshall Office of Malopolska Region is an auxiliary unit for Board of voiwodship. It is a local government - at regional public administration level. It realizes statutory and it's own tasks on behalf of Malopolska Region development. The Marshal of Malopolska Region is pointing main strategic goals in Malopolska Region Strategy, every 7 years. Those goals are corresponding with the most important mission at regional development. Board of Malopolska Region is caring out Sejmik resolutions and voiwodship tasks pointed by law. Sejmik is a parliament of the region and it is elected in direct elections. The Marshal manages of Marshal Office using its Director, Revenue Officer and Departments' Directors and plays official superior role according to Marshal Office employees.

Marshal Office includes such department as:

• Department of Budget and Finance
• Department of the Treasury
• Department of Regional and Spatial Policy
• Department of Structural Founds
• Department of Economy and Infrastructure
• Department of Environment and Rural Areas Development
• Department of Social Policy
• Department of Education and Sport
• Department of Culture and National Heritage
• Department of Promotion, Tourism and International Cooperation
• Department of Informative Society
• Department of Organization

Department of Social Policy is taking care of 17 public, 2^nd reference level hospitals in Małopolska Region. It’s an element of regional local government, concerning in supervision.