For Liepāja Regional hospital, the year has been financially challenging, but not catastrophic. This year, the medical treatment institution has higher expectations, with special thoughts on attracting employees.
“We are interested in what finances can be reckoned with in 2024. It determines not only the remuneration of employees, but also what services and to what extent will be provided to residents of Liepāja and Kurzeme. An even more painful issue than finance is human resources. We believe that the competence of the Ministry of Health is human resource planning,” said Edvīns Striks, medical director of Liepaja Regional hospital.
The financial situation of Liepaja hospital in general, compared to Daugavpils' colleagues, is much better. The budget of Daugavpils Regional Hospital had a five million euro deficit as the year ended, while Liepāja had around EUR 100,000. The exact amount is not yet known because all data is currently being collected.
The minister in charge of the sector promises there will be a better situation this year.
“As of January 1, additional funding has been added to the budget for the remuneration of medics, it is also funding that will appear in this year's hospital budget, but there is another amount as well, you know we have €275 million added this year. 167 million were distributed on January 1 and we have over 100 million set aside for both hospitals and primary care -- for general practitioners,” noted Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity).
Liepāja Hospital hopes that, thanks to the money allocated, it will be possible to fill all the establishment plan gaps, and since 2009, the main shareholder of the medical treatment institution – the municipality – has provided targeted support.
“We have additionally supported 66 residents who have become doctors of Liepāja. And this is what we will continue to do – each year we offer a housing program and also scholarships for students,” said Gunārs Ansiņš (Liepaja Party), Chairman of Liepaja State City Council.
Currently, the jobs of 11 doctors, eight nurses, as well as five different medical specialists are vacant at Liepāja Regional hospital.
