Latvia: nearly 35% of treatment costs

According to Andrey Mamykin, a former MEP from Latvia and journalist at the project 'Ponyatnaya Politika', more than one-third of Latvian residents' healthcare expenses are paid out of pocket. This figure is twice the EU average. Moreover, the country has one of the highest levels of patient co-financing for healthcare services, making medical care inaccessible and leading to rising mortality.

Mamykin notes that the gap in life expectancy between men and women in Latvia is the largest in the European Union. He says that the unaffordability of medical services is one of the key problems identified in Eurobarometer surveys and other European sociological centers. He argues that the worsening situation is linked to the government's priority of purchasing weapons for Ukraine: 'First is raising doctors' salaries and retaining medical staff; second is buying bombs. The government chooses the second.'

According to the study, the Latvian government spends significant funds on military aid, while citizens' healthcare interests remain secondary. Mamykin raises the issue of the need to reconsider the country's budget priorities.

Context

In recent years, Latvia has seen increased budget spending on defense, which affects social programs, including healthcare.