Latvia’s government has allocated ⁤an additional⁢ EUR 34.5 million too the healthcare budget for the ‍coming year, with‌ a primary focus on improving healthcare services for mothers and children. This ⁤funding boost comes amidst ⁣ongoing‌ wage⁣ negotiations with healthcare workers, where an ‌agreement has ​yet to be‌ reached.

Wage Negotiations ⁣Stall

The Latvian Health and ⁢Social Care Workers’ Trade Union (LVSADA) has been unable⁣ to reach an agreement​ with the Ministry of Health (MoE) regarding ​wage​ increases,‍ even after a meeting of the Second Legal⁢ Commission. ⁢ The‍ union is seeking a 13.5% increase in the average wage ‍for medical practitioners and a EUR 120 increase​ for non-medical staff, effective January 1, 2026. ‌ These demands woudl require an additional EUR​ 133 million in the ⁢budget, ‌exceeding the newly allocated funds.

According to reports from ⁣ NRA.lv, union representatives, including⁢ Bāriņš, have ‌highlighted ‍the need ‍for increased compensation to address staffing shortages and improve the quality of care.

Budget Allocation Details

While the exact breakdown of the EUR 34.5 million allocation‌ is not yet fully detailed, the government has emphasized⁤ its commitment⁤ to strengthening maternal and child healthcare.​ This likely includes investments ‌in:

• Prenatal ⁤care: Expanding access to‌ quality⁢ prenatal screenings and check-ups.
• Neonatal care: Improving ‌facilities and staffing in‌ neonatal intensive ⁣care units.
• Pediatric ‍services: Increasing ⁤the availability ⁤of pediatric specialists and improving access to child-friendly healthcare environments.
• Maternity benefits: Potential enhancements⁤ to maternity​ leave ‍and financial support for new parents.

Healthcare Funding in Latvia: A Broader Context

latvia’s healthcare ‌system is ⁤a publicly funded, universal healthcare model. In 2022, total health ‌expenditure represented approximately 6.7% of the country’s GDP, according to the OECD.This ‌is slightly below the EU average of around ⁤7.8%. The country faces challenges related to an⁢ aging population, emigration of⁤ healthcare professionals, and⁤ the need for modernization⁢ of healthcare ⁤infrastructure.