Janez Poklukar completed his medical studies at the Medical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana and got a job at the Jesenice General Hospital. In early 2013, he became the head of the internal medicine department, where he was responsible for the organizational, professional and business management of the department. In 2014, he became acting director and later director of the Jesenice General Hospital, which he successfully managed until July 2019, during which time he also successfully completed its rehabilitation. In August 2019, he took over the management of the University Clinical Center in Ljubljana, the largest health institution in the region and the country, where he faced both the difficult financial situation of the hospital and rehabilitation procedures as well as the challenges posed by the growing SARS CoV-2 virus (COVID- 19). Under his leadership, with good organization, through cooperation and knowledge of the problem, they successfully coped with all difficult situations, and they also managed to provide effective treatment and care for patients. In ten days, the management managed to complete the renovation of the premises, which had been renovated for 12 years, and hand them over for use at the most critical moments.
In his work, Janez Poklukar set high standards and demonstrated high managerial and professional competencies, as well as excellent knowledge of the Slovenian health care system, its advantages and disadvantages.
He assumed the position of Minister of Health on 23 February 2021.