Healthcare reforms to hurt patients

  • 2009-07-01
  • By Kate McIntosh
RIGA - Patients in Latvia will remain the biggest losers of tough new healthcare reforms and ongoing political maneuvering, said the head of a leading disability advocacy group.
Gunta Anca, chairperson of the Latvian Umbrella Body for Disability Organizations Sustento, told The Baltic Times patient advocacy groups had long been ignored in the decision making processes at the highest level.

"It is proven by the fact that patients' organizations are not involved in the development of a health care master plan; in the consultations about hospital reorganization and many other strategic decision-making working groups," said Anca.
Her comments come following a June 29 parliamentary vote that saw the appointment of new Health Minister Baiba Rozentale (see story Page 1).

Her predecessor Ivars Eglitis quit on June 17 in protest against the government's planned cuts to the healthcare sector, which will see the ministry's budget slashed by 45 million lats (64 million euros).
There are also fears wide reaching government reforms to the healthcare sector, including cuts to the number of employees and medical institutions, could undermine the availability and quality of services.
Although acknowledging the need for structural reform within the healthcare sector, Anca stressed the process needed to involve all representative bodies to better maintain equitable health services for all Latvians.

"Structural reforms are needed, but first it requires the reform of values. Government and health care professionals are able to see only money. Doctors, their professional associations and [the Health] Ministry are speaking only about medical salaries, hospital maintenance etc. Only incidentally do they remember about how it [the healthcare system] can help people maintain and regain health," she said.
Of particular concern is the potential impact of reforms on people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, to whom health care services are part of everyday life.

"Political parties have too much influence on these reforms and many decisions are, therefore, taken in a way which is politically right, but economically and humanly unreasonable. Up to now any positive changes in healthcare still prevail in the interests of providers of medical services rather than of patients."

Rising medical costs, disruptions to normal treatment regimes and ongoing confusion about the nature of changes to existing medical arrangements was also exacerbating the anxiety of both patients and providers, she said.

Although Anca declined to comment directly on Rozentale's suitability for the position, she said it was hoped the new minister's previous experience would help her better address some of the ongoing social tensions related to access to treatment and healthcare services.
"We wish Ms. Rozentale strength [as she takes] over the Health Ministry in this difficult time and hope that she will be able to carry out policy, which is centered on the patients."

Sustento represents about 20,000 people with disabilities throughout Latvia.