Problems in health care system are much deeper and more complicated than it seems - Mengelsone

RIGA - Problems in the health care sector are much deeper and more complicated than it seems, but resistance to different solutions is huge, said Health Minister Liga Mengelsone in an interview with LETA.

The first 100 days of the office of Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins' (New Unity) second government will be market, and the minister said that in this time all stages in the health care system have been quickly revised, understanding how important integrated health care system is. Mengelsone said that solutions often are fragmented, and it is not always easy for patients to understand them.

"Our main task is health care focused on patients' values. It is important that the solutions have been introduced for the good of patients, not the system. We should strengthen family care, primary health care," the minister said.

Mengelsone said that problems in the health care system are much deeper and more complicated than it seems, and the problem issues being solved have not appeared today. There is also a huge resistance to solutions.

She mentioned yesterday's government meeting and amendments intended to limit availability of alcoholic beverages as an example to this resistance, when it is important to balance different interests and opinions. "It is important to understand the greater good to the public. This is main main value," the minister said.

As reported, the government on Tuesday supported the Health Ministry's amendments to the rules on alcoholic beverages' labels, prices and discounts, and availability of alcoholic beverages at gaming and other venues.

The Health Ministry hopes that the amendments will help reduce consumption of alcoholic beverages in Latvia and decrease the proportion of alcohol-related diseases and deaths in the long term.

The amendments to the Handling of Alcoholic Beverages Law and the Electronic Mass Media Law provide for limiting the availability of alcoholic beverages, restrictions on advertising and marketing, informing and educating the public.