Rinkevics calls for urgent additional funding for cancer and diabetes patients

RIGA - President Edgars Rinkevics is calling on the Ministry of Health to find a solution as soon as possible for additional funding for the treatment of cancer patients and the care of patients with diabetes, Presidential Advisor Martins Dregeris told LETA.

Rinkevics met with Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) on Wednesday. The President heard the minister’s vision for the next steps in implementing changes to the hospital network. The parties also discussed priorities for the health sector in the 2027 state budget.

During the meeting, they also discussed measures to ensure operational continuity in crisis situations, improving access to medications, and issues related to access to pediatric dental care, cooperation among regional hospitals, and the availability of specialists in the regions.

Health Ministry informed LETA that Abu Meri and Rinkevics also discussed progress in implementing digital solutions to reduce waiting times, as well as the results and developments regarding measures to lower medication prices.

Abu Meri agreed with the President that implementing the priorities for the development of the healthcare sector requires both a gradual increase in funding and a well-thought-out organization of services, closer cooperation among healthcare institutions, and targeted investments for the benefit of patients.

During the meeting, the minister also informed Rinkevics of the Ministry’s estimated 2027 state budget requirements, amounting to EUR 663 million. However, given the state budget’s constraints, the funding required in 2027 for the ministry’s priority measures, totaling EUR 319.5 million, will be updated during the budget negotiations.

The Ministry of Health explained that most of the additional funding is needed to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare, including increasing the salaries of medical personnel, reducing patient waitlists, expand the scope of state-funded services and the range of reimbursable medications and medical devices, and refine service rates.

Limited funding currently prevents the sector from fully addressing all its needs; therefore, measures that provide the greatest benefit to patients must be identified, the ministry states.