The Latvian Oncology Center (LOC) will finally receive modern and renovated facilities. The government has allocated over 68 million euros to complete the reconstruction of the center - this was achieved through the joint efforts of doctors and patients. Now the concern is that the facilities will be available, but there is currently no money for the equipment.
The temporary relocation of the Latvian Oncology Center (LOC) to Gailezers will be the largest in the history of Latvian hospitals: it will affect more than 300 patients and 900 staff members.
"I am glad that at the last moment we were lucky: this year is an election year, and all political forces found money for the renovation," noted the head of the LOC Oncological Surgery Clinic, Armand Sivinsh.
As early as spring, doctors and patients raised alarms that the reconstruction could be halted due to a lack of funds. The total cost of the renovation is about 68 million euros, which has already been allocated. However, medical installations and other equipment are not included in the funding.
"That is, the LOC will be renovated, but there will be no beds, monitors, operating tables, and so on. A patient cannot enter an empty room with their mattress," explained Sivinsh.
The hospital has compiled a complete list of equipment needed for the operating room, intensive care unit, and other inpatient departments, with a total cost of over 12 million euros. The Ministry of Health emphasized that there is still enough time to find the funds.
"Perhaps there will be leftover funding from the healthcare sector or other areas. Even if the issue cannot be resolved within the current period, a new funding planning cycle will begin in 2028," explained Boris Knigin, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Health for Financial Affairs.
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