Czechia

Czech Doctors Now Authorized to Prescribe Medical Cannabis for Chronic Pain

Since April 1, all doctors in the Czech Republic have been authorized to prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients suffering from intractable chronic pain. It marks a shift in the country’s healthcare system, as it expands access to a treatment option that was previously available only through specialists. Cannabis has been used for medical purposes in the Czech Republic since 2015, and only specialized doctors could prescribe it. However, the new regulation now allows general practitioners to prescribe medicinal cannabis for pain management, offering an alternative to painkillers such as morphine or fentanyl. Petr Šonka, chairman of the Association of General Practitioners, expressed his support for the change, emphasizing that cannabis is a safer option with fewer side effects compared to traditional opioids. A nationwide educational program is being implemented, including regional seminars aimed at informing GPs about the prescription of cannabis. After a slow start in 2015 when medicinal cannabis was legalized, sales reached over 100 kilograms in 2021. In 2024 alone, 320 kilograms were prescribed, representing more than one-third of the total amount dispensed since legalization. This past decade, around 250 doctors have prescribed it in the country with a total of 937 kilograms. According to the 2024 Report...

 by Prague Morning Apr 02, 2025

Czech Army Raises Recruitment Bonus to CZK 1 Million Amid Staffing Crisis

The amendment, approved by Czech President Peter Pavel, significantly increases recruitment and retention benefits for Czech soldiers in a bid to address critical army staffing shortages. Czech President Petr Pavel has signed a key amendment aimed at strengthening the Czech Army by significantly increasing recruitment and retention benefits for professional soldiers. The move, backed by the government, seeks to address the increasingly concerning personnel shortfall in the armed forces. Under the new legislation, the recruitment allowance for new soldiers will rise sharply to a maximum of CZK 1 million, quadrupling the previous ceiling of CZK 250,000. This allowance will be paid out as a one-time bonus, but only after the completion of a three-month probationary period. In addition to the recruitment incentive, the amendment enhances several other benefits, including the stabilization allowance, housing support, and subsidies for service abroad. The Czech defense ministry estimates that the additional measures will cost the state budget CZK 375 million annually. Defense Minister Jana Černochová and Chief of the General Staff Karel Řehka have consistently raised concerns over the army’s personnel shortage. Řehka has stressed that to meet strategic defense goals, the military needs a net annual increase of 1,200 soldiers. Just 27,826 professional...

 by Prague Morning Apr 02, 2025
Prague has been identified as a major hotspot for cocaine use in Czechia, according to wastewater data.

Wastewater Analysis Shows Prague’s Cocaine Use at Record High

A new study has confirmed what many have already suspected—drug use in the Czech Republic is increasing. According to wastewater analysis conducted by the TG Masaryk Water Research Institute (VÚV), cocaine is the most common drug in Prague and Pilsen. At the same time, methamphetamine (pervitin) dominates in Ústí nad Labem and Ostrava. The study also found that marijuana use is rising, with its presence in public spaces becoming more visible, particularly in Prague. Gone are the days when smoking a joint was done in secret; today, the scent of marijuana is replacing cigarette smoke on the streets of the capital. However, how do scientists identify which drugs are being consumed and where? The solution was discovered in the wastewater analysis—novel, anonymous, and highly accurate for gazing at national drug consumption patterns. How Scientists Track Drug Use Through Wastewater Each year, researchers take wastewater samples from large Czech cities and test them for traces of drugs. It is a straightforward, objective way to see what people are using. The data is then sent to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), allowing comparisons with other countries. “The method provides an objective and anonymous view of drug consumption in the population. Thanks...

 by Nusrat Jahan Shuvra Apr 01, 2025

Czechia Braces for Another Sharp Drop in Temperatures

The Czech Republic is set for another sharp temperature drop this week, according to the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (ČHMÚ). The beginning of the week will bring cold and humid air from northwestern Europe, followed by a brief warming period. However, by Friday, a cold front will sweep through, bringing another round of chilly weather. Throughout the week, the weather will be cloudy and rainy, with snowfall in higher elevations. While the weekend will start with relatively mild temperatures, a significant cooling trend will follow. Here’s what meteorologists predict for the upcoming days. Monday and Tuesday: Rain, Snow, and Low Temperatures If you have outdoor plans on Monday, prepare for rain and snow in the mountains. The sky will remain mostly cloudy, with showers and mixed precipitation above 700 meters. Evening rainfall may subside. Nighttime temperatures will range from 6 to 2°C, while daytime highs will only reach 5 to 9°C, with some areas in Moravia hitting 12°C. A northwest to north wind will continue throughout the day. On Tuesday, the pattern remains unchanged. Expect cloudy skies with occasional showers, with snow above 900 meters. Precipitation should taper off in the evening, allowing for decreasing cloud cover. Night temperatures will drop...

 by Prague Morning Mar 30, 2025

Record Surge in Bone Marrow Donors in Czechia Following Madlenka’s Story

A wave of new bone marrow donors has joined the Czech registry, moved by the story of two-year-old Madlenka. Over the past ten days, more than 6,000 people have registered as bone marrow donors in Czechia—half the number usually recorded in an entire year. In 2023, the total number of new donors was around 12,000, yet this unprecedented surge took place in just a few days, largely thanks to Madlenka’s father, who shared her story online. Madlenka, a two-year-old girl, is battling aplastic anemia, a serious condition that affects bone marrow function. Her search for a compatible donor has touched the hearts of thousands, prompting people across the country to sign up. Doctors and medical staff continue to process samples, including those sent from plasma centers and transfusion stations. The donor drive will run across Czechia until the end of April. For those unable to donate due to age restrictions, there’s still a way to help. A fundraising campaign has been launched to cover the costs of donor registration and collection. As of Friday evening, donations had surpassed 850,000 CZK. The surge in registrations has been visible across the country. In Brno alone, 580 people signed up yesterday. Over the...

 by Nusrat Jahan Shuvra Mar 29, 2025

Poll: Only 6% of Czechs Would Join Military if Country was Attacked

A new survey reveals that nearly half of Czech citizens believe current defense spending at 2 percent of GDP is sufficient, and only a small fraction would volunteer to join the military if Czechia or a NATO ally were attacked. The poll, conducted last month by the Median agency for Czech Radio, found that half of the respondents were content with the current level of investment in defense, one third of people wanted to increase spending above NATO’s minimum threshold of 2 percent, while a quarter of those asked backed a reduction in spending. The findings come just weeks after the Czech government announced plans to increase defense spending to at least 3 percent of GDP by 2030, a move Prime Minister Petr Fiala has described as both necessary and urgent. The Chamber of Deputies is set to debate the nation’s defense capability this week, with President Petr Pavel scheduled to address an extraordinary session on the topic. “Two percent is the minimum today, but not all states even meet that. We need to discuss whether higher spending is necessary and feasible,” Fiala said. He also highlighted the economic benefits of defense investment, including domestic industrial growth, innovation, and technological...

 by Prague Morning Mar 28, 2025
Czech Easter

Not Just Eggs and Whips: 8 Fascinating Facts About Czech Easter

As for the most interesting Czech holidays and traditions, Easter sure gives Christmas a run for its peníze (i.e. money). In addition to catching the beauty of spring, Eastertime visitors will come away from Prague with a pocketful of history and traditions to be shared back home (especially if a visit to the country’s more traditional Moravian region is involved). For a preview of what to expect for Easter in the Czech Republic, read our 8 fascinating Easter facts! 1. Is it Easter… or a celebration of spring? Velikonoce (Easter) comes from the expression velká noc, meaning “great night” after the day in which Jesus Christ rose from the dead. During Communist rule, however, the religious celebration was suppressed and the arrival of spring was recognized instead. Since the Velvet Revolution and the collapse of Communism in 1989, Easter’s Christian roots have slowly been reestablished, though the holiday is still less overtly religious than visitors might expect (at least in the case in the capital city). 2. Easter Monday trumps Easter Sunday The main day for Easter celebrations is on Easter Monday, also a national holiday. Easter Sunday (Velikonoční neděle), on the other hand, is typically spent preparing for the following day’s festivities during which ladies decorate the eggs...

 by Prague Morning Mar 28, 2025

EU’s Russian Gas Imports Surge 18% in 2024 – Czechia Among Key Contributors

A new report by the energy think tank Ember finds that imports of Russian gas to the EU surged by 18% in 2024. Despite plans to phase out Russian energy by 2027, increased imports into Italy, the Czech Republic, and France drove the rise. Although demand did not grow, imports increased. Moreover, the EU plans to enhance its liquefied natural gas (LNG) import capacity by 54%, with member states seeking alternative gas suppliers. According to the think tank, this expansion occurs despite stable demand until 2030. Analysts warn that such expansion could result in overcapacity, with fossil gas supply expected to surpass demand by 26% in 2030. “This level of overinvestment, amounting to 131 billion cubic meters, matches the combined annual gas consumption of Germany, France, and Poland,” reads the press release. “It is a scandal that the EU is still importing Russian gas,” said Ember analyst Dr Pawel Czyzak. “Instead of investing in true alternatives like renewables and efficiency to cut off Russian imports, Member States are burning money with expensive LNG capacity that won’t even be used.” The analysis reveals that after years of price volatility driven by the war in Ukraine, gas prices surged by 59% in...

 by Prague Morning Mar 27, 2025

Clocks in Czechia Change to Summer Daylight Saving Time This Sunday

On the night of Saturday, March 29, to Sunday, March 30, 2025, the Czech Republic will switch to daylight saving time once again. At 2:00 a.m. Central European Time (CET), clocks will move forward by one hour to 3:00 a.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST). This shift will impact some night transport services in Prague. Many people mistakenly refer to CET as winter time, but the seasonal time change was originally introduced to extend daylight hours and reduce reliance on artificial lighting, thus saving energy. However, the idea is based on assumptions from over a century ago. Modern energy experts argue that shifting the clock has little to no impact on electricity consumption. How Will Prague’s Public Transport Be Affected? Most night routes will operate as usual, but some services will follow modified timetables: No major changes – Night trams and most night buses will run as scheduled. Will continue after the time change – Bus lines 956, 957, 958, 959, and 960, along with night bus 397, will complete their routes after 3:00 a.m. CEST. Special timetables – Bus lines 903, 951, 952, and 954 will follow adjusted schedules. Passengers can find more details via the Prague Integrated Transport...

 by Jakub Dvorský Mar 26, 2025

Another Chinese Carmaker Enters Czech Market – BYD to Launch on April 1

Car imports from China to the Czech Republic more than doubled last year, with Chinese brands now holding 3.3% of the domestic market for new passenger cars. The latest player to enter the scene is BYD, one of China’s largest car manufacturers, which will officially launch its brand in the country on April 1, 2024. Czech buyers purchased 7,675 cars from China in 2023, compared to 3,516 in 2022. The rapid increase in Chinese car sales is driven not only by competitive pricing but also by a notable improvement in quality and technology. As these brands continue to evolve, their share of the European market is expected to grow further. Despite this growth, Chinese carmakers could face obstacles in Europe. Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto, recently pointed out that US tariffs on Chinese imports imposed under Donald Trump’s policies might push Chinese manufacturers to shift their focus toward European markets. This could lead to increased competition for established European brands.   BYD’s European Expansion Plans BYD is already making significant strides in Europe. The company is set to decide this year on the location of its third European factory. Its Hungarian plant will begin operations in October 2024, followed...

 by Prague Morning Mar 25, 2025

Race Against Time: Madlenka Needs Life-Saving Bone Marrow Transplant

The country has been shaken this past week by the heartbreaking story of Madlenka, a two-year-old girl fighting for her life. She has been diagnosed with severe aplastic anaemia, a rare condition in which her body has stopped producing white and red blood cells, as well as platelets—leaving her immune system critically compromised. Her only hope of survival is a bone marrow transplant, but time is running out. Doctors have just six weeks to find a suitable donor. The urgency of her case has sparked a nationwide response. The National Bone Marrow Donor Registry, in partnership with the Institute for Clinical and Experimental Medicine (IKEM), has reported an unprecedented surge in registrations. According to CNN Prima News, Madlenka’s plight has deeply moved the Czech public, prompting a wave of support. Over the weekend, hundreds of people queued outside IKEM in Prague, hoping to be the match that could save her life. On Friday and Saturday alone, 730 new donors registered. By Sunday, another 400 had signed up. Martina Koláčná, a spokesperson for the registry, said interest remains high, and additional recruitment events are being planned. Donors can continue registering at IKEM from Wednesday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 12...

 by Prague Morning Mar 25, 2025

Prague’s Green Crown: Named European Forestry City 2025!

Prague has been awarded the title of European Forestry City 2025, marking the second time the Czech capital has received this recognition, following its win in 2021. The city will also host an international conference, bringing together scientists, policymakers, and forestry experts to discuss urban green spaces and environmental sustainability. One of Europe’s Greenest Cities Prague stands out as one of Europe’s greenest cities, with approximately 4,900 hectares of forested land, covering about 10% of the city’s total area. These green spaces play a crucial role in environmental conservation, recreation, and the overall quality of urban life. The city also manages over 2,600 hectares of gardens, parks, and green spaces, with parks making up 9% of this total. Notable green areas include Stromovka Park, Letná Gardens, and Kinský Garden. Prague’s Expanding Green Spaces Prague is continually expanding its green areas. While forested land was shrinking in the city until the late 19th century, the trend reversed in the 20th century. Since then, the total area of newly planted forests has reached nearly 1,500 hectares. The HUGSI index, which measures urban greenery, reports that each Prague resident enjoys an average of 180 square meters of green space—one of the highest figures...

 by Prague Morning Mar 24, 2025

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