Latvians have increasingly begun to complain about harm caused to their health 0 10

This is also happening because the number of applications to the Health Inspectorate, which administers the fund, is increasing. Last year, nearly 330 applications were received from patients.

In order to be able to pay compensation due to the increase in the number of complaints, the amount of funding that medical institutions must transfer to the fund has been increased this year. As industry representatives note, this is a double-edged sword, as these funds could be used for healthcare services.

Explaining how the Treatment Risk Fund (TRF) works, Health Inspectorate representative Dace Tarasova stated at a meeting of the parliamentary commission on social and labor issues that after a person who has been harmed during treatment submits a claim to the inspectorate, an examination is conducted and a conclusion is given, after which a decision is made. If it is favorable for the complainant, the National Health Service pays out money from the TRF. If the patient disagrees with the conclusion or the awarded amount, they can appeal to the Ministry of Health, which will challenge the decision in court. The entire procedure—from the application to the final decision—takes up to six months.

In 2025, 208 decisions were made, and the average processing time for applications was 6.18 months. Sometimes, if additional conclusions and review of medical documentation are required, the time can be extended by another six months. The most common reason for delays is the lack of expert doctors, which is particularly felt in conditions where the number of applications is growing. Currently, experts from the State Medical Commission for Health and Work Capacity Expertise are mainly involved in reviewing patient complaints. There is also a significant burden on lawyers who prepare the decisions.