Latvia health minister resigns over ’political pressure’

  • 2014-07-07
  • From wire reports, RIGA

Ingrida Circene (center) has submitted her resignation to Latvia PM Laimdota Straujuma

Latvian Minister of Health Ingrida Circene has resigned, citing 'political pressure' as reasons.

"Considering the fact that there are different concepts about what is important in the healthcare field, and the fact that constructive cooperation has not been achieved in taking care of urgent matters, as well as my inability to resume my work due to health problems, I feel that it is impossible for me to continue my efforts on such a team. Thus, I resign from Health Minister's position due to political pressure," Circene said in a statement.

Circene said it was 'unacceptable' that the Ministry of Health did not receive funding for stable growth in the long-term, as well as support for other strategically important matters concerning the sector.

Circene said she was confident she had worked according to society's interests and not the individual.

"I believe that every Latvian citizen knows that in order to improve public health, the medical profession requires fundamental reforms, while the funding that is currently allotted, is insufficient. My vision about the funding system in Latvia and appropriate financing for healthcare has not changed," Circene said.