"These 15 million are only until the end of the year. These are also relatively small financial resources, which in general will not improve the situation of hospitals much, as our total estimates with the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service required almost EUR 80 million by the end of this year. 15 million is a very small amount,” said Kalējs.
When asked if the risks of hospital bankruptcy would have been fixed with that amount, Kalējs replied: “Certainly the risks will not have been addressed.”
Kalējs said the agreement with the National Health Service (NVD) provides for the additional amount allocated to be distributed directly to intensive care and emergency medical assistance, as those are the most costly.
"We don't think that with the debt of 80 million euros that the state hasn't paid for last year, 15 million can patch up a lot, but it will a little support if it is shared, as we agreed with the National Health Service, specifically to treat the severe patients. At least providing these patients that they can get care,” Kalējs noted.
He stressed that even providing paid services is difficult because employees cannot be found. “Nurses don't want to work for €700-800,” he added.
“Even for pay services line is already stretching into the next year. The provision of services is already at risk. The money allocated does not address anything in this respect.”
