Rinkevics expects detailed proposals from Health Minister to support oncology patients

RIGA - President Edgars Rinkevics expects more detailed proposals from Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity) to address the challenges of oncology patients.

Earlier this week, the Health Minister proposed to increase individual reimbursements for oncology medicines to EUR 30,000 per year instead of the current EUR 14,228, and to create a special fund for oncology.

Rinkevics told reporters on Wednesday that there are several ideas that the minister has informed the public about, but "the devil is in the details". The President expects the minister to write an articulated set of proposals.

In his view, the basic idea of increasing individual reimbursements for oncology medicines is the right step. Proposals for a broader and more transparent decision-making mechanism, involving patient organizations, doctors and civil servants, are the right step.

"I think it is right to work on this, but I would be very cautious here. If we are talking about creating an oncology fund, a lot will depend on the details. [...] Let's be honest, it will all require addressing the issue of funding," Rinkevics said.

He referred to the Prime Minister's statement that funding for reimbursable medicines has been increased, but there are people who point to insufficient funding. According to the President, this needs to be addressed structurally, thinking also about funding, despite the tight budget situation, for example by looking into "internal resources".

"In my opinion, we need to assess whether we really need a governance model consisting of boards and councils in hospitals that are not capital companies in the classical sense. Maybe we can make savings. No one has 'called' for hospitals or medical institutions to have the same governance model as, for example, competing companies on the market," Rinkevics noted.

He pointed out that this will not solve all problems, but it will send a good signal to the public that funds are being sought not only at the expense of tax increases. The President added that from time to time, boards and management boards of hospitals are dismissed because they are unable to perform the tasks entrusted to them.

Rinkevics also stressed that funding should be sought wherever possible. In his view, "internal reserves" have not been exhausted either. The President told journalists that he expected written proposals from the Health Minister, in the form of an information report or otherwise.

"It is good that the minister has come forward with his proposals, but we have specific people who need this help today, not after a time when systemic issues will be resolved. [...] Latvenergo will donate money to specific people. This is wrong from the point of view of fixing the system, but it helps specific people and gives hope. It shows that there are attempts to solve the problem," Rinkevics said.

He noted that on August 20 he had also asked the Ombudsman Juris Jansons to look into this issue, namely how to deal with different situations from the point of view of human rights, justice and the values enshrined in the Constitution. The President referred to Jansons' statement that it is often a matter of political decision how much money the state invests in one or another healthcare program. The Ombudsman promised to come back with proposals and an assessment of the situation in due course.