EUR 55 million necessary from government budget for increase of medics' wages - Mengelsone

  • 2022-12-19
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - EUR 55 million will be necessary in the government budget for increase of medics' wages, said Health Minister Liga Mengelsone in an interview with the Latvian public radio.

The politician said that increased of medics' wages is the main priority in the health care sector. This would also decrease patients' lines for medical consultations.

The Health Ministry will also assess a possibility to increase wages for medical assistants whose wages are very low. 

It is important that every resident has a feeling that in case their health situation is deteriorating, the person will receive the necessary health care services, the minister said.

Even though the government declaration provides for an increase of funding for health care sector to 12 percent of the budget, it is not enough, said Mengelsone. In her opinion, everything possible should be done to increase the funding to 15 percent of the budget.

Mengelsone underscored the role of NGOs in improving health care services, like in organizing hospice care. She noted that NGOs quite often are much closer to families and patients than ministries. Also cooperation among the Health Ministry, the Welfare Ministry and local governments should be promoted.