Ex-VZP chief Kabátek to lead EUC clinic network in Czechia

Zdeněk Kabátek, the long-time director of VZP, the largest Czech health insurer, who was removed from the post in February this year after more than thirteen years at the helm, has found a new job. From the beginning of November he will become executive director of EUC clinics, Czechia’s largest provider of outpatient and home healthcare.

EUC spokeswoman Lenka Sadílková confirmed it: “Zdeněk Kabátek has worked with EUC as a consultant for the past three months. From November 2026 he will take up the position of executive director of EUC clinics, responsible for the operational management of the network of outpatient facilities.” According to her, his managerial experience and deep knowledge of the healthcare sector made him a “natural choice”. The position in the clinics’ leadership became vacant some time ago.

Kabátek himself said that EUC’s offer matches his professional focus. As VZP director he had no non-compete clause in his contract, so nothing stands in the way of his move.

EUC runs 17 polyclinics with outpatient departments, 26 pharmacies and 15 laboratories, and also provides home healthcare services. It belongs to the investment group Tuffieh Funds, based in Malta, whose main investor is former PPF manager Jan Blaško.

Kabátek headed the General Health Insurance Company from December 2012 and for a long time held a strong position there. In August 2020, for example, people nominated by then Health Minister Adam Vojtěch wanted to bring up his position at the supervisory board, but failed to win the support of board members representing the ANO movement. In January 2021, when Kabátek got a COVID vaccine ahead of his turn, then Minister Jan Blatný urged him to draw the consequences, but he refused to resign and was backed by the supervisory board, most of whose members are representatives of political parties (one third are appointed by the government and two thirds by the Chamber of Deputies).

Kabátek was dismissed this February, when the new government of ANO, SPD and the Motorists was formed. Prime Minister Andrej Babiš (ANO) had repeatedly criticised him in the past.

Around Prague, based on reporting by seznamzpravy.cz