The accessibility of medical care remains one of the most pressing issues for elderly residents of Latvia. Retirees claim that due to long wait times, many are forced to turn to private clinics or do not manage to receive the necessary treatment in time.
On Friday, the traditional Seniors' Day took place in the Saeima, where representatives of pensioner organizations from across the country gathered. The main topic of discussion was the situation in healthcare and the difficulties elderly people face when trying to see a doctor, reports TV3 News.
According to event participants, the situation is particularly difficult in regions where there is a shortage of specialists. As a result, retirees have to travel to Riga for consultations, pay for private visits, and wait months for public services.
Inara Alika, chairwoman of the "Pensioner Society of Valmiera City," stated that the problem has already had tragic consequences.
"The saddest thing is that many retirees pass away simply because they cannot wait for help. A person cannot afford to pay 2000–3000 euros for surgery at a private clinic," she said.
Problems arise not only with doctor consultations but also with diagnostics. A retiree from Baldone, Janis Broks, shared that scheduling examinations often turns into waiting for a call from a waiting list with no guarantees.
An even more illustrative example was provided by Mara Kraule, head of the Seniors' Council of Ventspils County. According to her, an ultrasound examination can be done privately for 67 euros in about two months, while for a public service, a person might only be placed on a waiting list, where they could be, for example, 683rd in line.
There is also separate dissatisfaction with the use of social budget funds. Representatives of pensioner organizations reminded that for many years, 1% of social insurance funds has been allocated to healthcare, yet elderly people do not see any significant improvements.
Therefore, the resolution adopted at the end of Seniors' Day includes a proposal to use these funds more specifically — for example, to reduce wait times for doctors or to finance dental care for retirees.
Aija Barča, chairwoman of the Latvian Federation of Pensioners, noted that over the years of this system's existence, about one billion euros have been directed to healthcare needs. However, according to pensioner organizations, this money dissolves in the overall budget of the sector and does not allow for solving specific problems faced by elderly people.
Following the meeting, pensioner organizations submitted a resolution to the Saeima with proposals to improve the quality of life for elderly people, including measures to enhance the accessibility of medical care.
The issue of wait times in healthcare remains one of the most sensitive for Latvian retirees and directly affects the quality and longevity of thousands of people.
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