Hospitals and the healthcare system must be prepared for geopolitical upheavals - Speaker of the Saeima 0 143

As reported by the LETA agency from the Press Service of the Saeima, Miereņa emphasized that healthcare plays a crucial role in ensuring the security of the Baltic region and the civil defense of each country.

She reminded that there is still war in Europe and hybrid attacks are occurring daily against all EU member states, therefore the healthcare system and hospitals must be prepared for geopolitical upheavals, the politician noted, referring to the experience of Ukraine.

Miereņa emphasized that in Latvia, the healthcare sector still faces serious challenges — insufficient funding, accessibility and quality of services, a shortage of young doctors in the regions, as well as low public trust in the healthcare system.

"In Latvia, only 60% of the average EU level is spent on healthcare, however, significant improvements are already noticeable, which will significantly affect the accessibility of services in the future," said the Speaker of the Saeima.

In turn, the President of the BA, Jānis Vucāns, emphasized that health is the foundation of societal resilience, reminding that the pandemic, demographic challenges, and the mental health crisis prove: "a state is only as strong as its population is healthy."

Vucāns also pointed out that strengthening regional cooperation opens opportunities for progress in healthcare research, data sharing, and the implementation of digital innovations.

The President of the BA noted that security is also undermined by the weak preparedness of the healthcare system for crises, emphasizing the need to create strategic reserves.

"Investments in healthcare are investments in long-term security," he said, urging conference participants to strengthen dialogue and joint actions at the Baltic level.

Parliamentarians emphasized that the Baltic countries must jointly address issues related to security in healthcare, positively assessing the initiated joint procurement of medicines, which helps to avoid drug shortages and provides lower costs for patients.

Miereņa and Vucāns noted the importance of creating a common particle therapy center for treating cancer patients, which would significantly improve cancer treatment in the region and simultaneously strengthen the participation of Baltic countries in the European research ecosystem.

The main presentation on the topic "The Impact of Healthcare on Demography and National Security of the Baltic States" was delivered by Malina Müller, head of the health economics department at the WifOR Institute. She pointed out that, for example, an investment of 20 million euros in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in Estonia over 15 years could yield 127 million euros in social benefits, which corresponds to nearly an eightfold return and would save 315 lives.

Müller emphasized that targeted investments in prevention can significantly reduce the burden on the healthcare system and strengthen the long-term resilience of states.

Ombudsman Karina Palkova noted that access to medical care is a matter of fundamental human rights, not just an economic investment with measurable returns. According to her, it is the state's duty to ensure equal and accessible healthcare as a fundamental right for every resident.

Parliamentarians reiterated that the Baltic countries must jointly address security issues in healthcare, positively assessing the already initiated joint procurement of medicines, which helps reduce drug shortages and lower costs for patients. The importance of creating a common particle therapy center for treating cancer patients was also emphasized, which could improve oncology treatment in the region and simultaneously enhance the participation of Baltic countries in the European scientific space.

As previously reported, the conference is designed as a platform for cooperation among parliamentarians, governments, and experts aimed at strengthening the understanding of the public value of healthcare and promoting evidence-based decision-making. During the conference, specific political recommendations for further actions and cooperation among the Baltic states after the completion of Latvia's presidency will be formulated.

The discussions will also address various financial approaches in the Baltic countries and healthcare issues related to demographics, maternal health as a strategic investment in national security, as well as the physical and psychological health of conscripts as the foundation of state defense.