Bērziņš: Changing the health minister won't fix funding gap, says Latvia needs real money
Latvian Saeima committee chair Andris Bērziņš says healthcare needs up to €600-800 million in extra funding and warns that replacing the minister alone will not solve the sector's problems.
Andris Bērziņš, chairman of the Saeima's Social and Labour Affairs Committee and a candidate for the 15th Saeima, said on TV24's programme “Ziņu TOP” that Latvia's healthcare system has long suffered from insufficient funding, and that simply replacing the health minister will not fix the problem unless the sector receives the money it needs. He argued healthcare, alongside defence, should be a top priority for the next Saeima term.
According to Bērziņš, the system needs roughly €600 million in additional funding, while reaching the broader goal of allocating 6% of GDP to healthcare would require around €800 million. He acknowledged it is still unclear where this funding would come from, meaning the next parliament will need to identify a concrete funding source rather than repeat promises.
Asked about pressure from medical unions and professional associations, Bērziņš said such pressure is understandable, since these organizations exist to defend their sector's interests. The Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees (LVSADA) recently decided to demand the resignation of Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (JV), citing his failure to secure a concrete, adequately funded government decision to address the crisis. Bērziņš noted he would not envy a new minister, who would face the same situation without proper financing.
Union demands
LVSADA is demanding at least a 30% pay rise for all healthcare workers in the 2027 state budget and plans a picket outside the Cabinet of Ministers. The Health Ministry has said a 25.4% raise would cost €228.7 million. The government's draft budget response acknowledges a need for €663 million in additional sector funding overall, but allocates only €45.2 million for human resources, with the actual amount still undetermined.
LVSADA chairwoman Līga Bāriņa said no substantial changes have occurred in the sector since 2021 and criticized difficulties in maintaining dialogue with the ministry. A European Commission report on Latvia found insufficient public health funding and a significant shortage of staff: Latvia has 3.4 doctors and 4.2 nurses per 1,000 residents, compared with EU averages of 4.3 and 7.6, while more than 40% of doctors and nurses are aged 55 or older.
