Health Minister Hosam Abu Meri urges the Latvian Health Workers' Union, which wants to send him into resignation, to continue negotiations and seek solutions rather than take an ultimatum position.
As the minister reported through his advisor, negotiations with the union are always a diplomatic "tango": one must balance the interests of workers with the capabilities of the state. "But if the partner starts to attack — the dance will not work," said Abu Meri.
"I agreed to take the position of Minister of Health not for the position itself, but to achieve quality changes in the healthcare system," claims Abu Meri.
Abu Meri admitted that healthcare funding in Latvia is still critically insufficient. "I have repeatedly emphasized this and fully agree with the union's assessment — I have spoken about this again and again to my colleagues in the government and in the Saeima," noted the minister. But all to no avail.
The minister reminded that it was under the current government that in 2024, healthcare workers received a significant salary increase.
The minister claims that over the past two years, the role of nurses has been strengthened, additional training places have been introduced, and a new program "Nurse with Extended Competencies" has been launched. Nurses have been granted the right to prescribe medications, and the role and professional significance of pharmacists have also been enhanced.
According to Abu Meri, healthcare is not an industry where quick changes are possible. "As long as I have the opportunity, I will continue this work with the same determination and responsibility — to the patients, the medical staff, and the country," the minister concluded pompously.
As already reported by bb.lv, the medical union demands an increase in the average salary of workers by 13.5% starting January 1, 2026, and for non-medical staff in healthcare institutions, by 120 euros. This will require an additional 133 million euros in the budget.
The Minister of Health previously stated that there are no funds in the state budget.
