With the additional EUR 140 million allocated towards healthcare, Latvia’s healthcare budget will reach only 9.6% of general government expenditures, not the 12% recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO), as estimated by Latvian Trade Union of Health and Social Care Workers (LVSADA).
LVSADA representative Inga Rudzīte notes that
the general government budget is composed of the consolidated budget portion EUR 14 673 700 and the EUR 4 083 300 of the special budget, reaching together EUR 18 757 000 in total.
Rudzīte referenced the report from the Ministry of Finance on the distribution of finances to the healthcare sector in 2023. The report was submitted to Saeima’s Budget and Finance Committee on the 21st of June.
According to the ministry, by increase the healthcare budget by EUR 140 000 000 the recommendation from WHO experts on the healthcare budged reaching at least 12% of the state consolidated budget will be reached.
The Ministry of Finance estimates that it could reach 12.3%.
Rudzīte claims this is untrue, because the publication from WHO, which the ministry referenced in its report, “makes it clear” that implied state funding for healthcare applies to general government expenditures, which are recommended to reach at least 12%.
According to estimates from LVSADA, Latvia lacks approximately EUR 450 000 000 to actually meet the funding recommendation from WHO.
On the 20th of June Latvia’s government supported providing the country’s healthcare budget an additional amount of EUR 140 000 000.
To implement the objective listed in the PM’s resolution, Minister of Finance Arvils Ašeradens has met with all ministers. An agreement was reached to distribute finding towards the healthcare sector in order to finance emergency activities.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Finance, the expenditures of the healthcare sector in 2023 will reach up to 12.3% of the state consolidated budget.
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