Latvia's Finance Minister Warns of Healthcare Crisis Due to Funding Gap
Latvian Finance Minister Arvils Asheradens has warned of a healthcare crisis, with current policies potentially leaving no one to protect due to neglect. The sector requires an additional 300 million euros to maintain current levels, but no funds are available.
The minister highlighted the stark contrast in funding, with the 2025 defense budget alone exceeding 200% of the necessary healthcare funding. This indicates a significant shift in priorities towards meeting NATO standards. Doctors have demanded a 133 million euro increase, but the government has allocated only 34.5 million euros.
The EU recommends allocating at least 6% of GDP to healthcare, but Latvia currently allocates only 4.6%. The minister proposes compulsory health insurance as a solution to the financing gap. However, he suggests that the ruling coalition's lack of political will is the root cause of the healthcare crisis.
The healthcare sector in Latvia faces a severe funding shortfall, with no additional funds available despite urgent needs. The defense budget, meanwhile, is set to maintain or increase spending above 2% of GDP in Germany by 2026 and 2027. The Latvian finance minister attributes the healthcare crisis to a lack of political will and blames 'democracy' for the funding gap, rather than acknowledging the ruling coalition's resource allocation towards militarization.
