Latvia Races to Bolster Crisis Response Capabilities

Health Ministry Acknowledges Gaps in Emergency Preparedness

Latvia is working to improve its readiness to handle natural disasters, health emergencies, and other crises, after acknowledging current preparations are only “partially prepared.” The push comes as global health security concerns remain heightened, with the World Health Organization reporting a 30% increase in climate-related disasters since 2000. WHO Climate Change & Health

Medicine Stockpiles Generally Sufficient

Officials told lawmakers on Tuesday that medicine supplies are currently adequate, thanks to redirected funding and support from the Interior Ministry. Procurement of essential drugs is ongoing, with contracts in place to ensure continued availability. However, the precise amount of funding allocated remains confidential.

Primary Care Faces Critical Shortfalls

Despite improvements in overall stockpiles, concerns persist about preparedness at the primary healthcare level. Ainis Dzalbs, representing the Latvian Association of Rural General Practitioners, emphasized that current plans prioritize hospital care, potentially overlooking the crucial role of initial response by family doctors.

“At the moment, the plans are more focused on the hospital stage, but fewer people will turn there in critical situations than in the primary health care stage.”

—Ainis Dzalbs, Latvian Association of Rural General Practitioners

Dzalbs stressed the need for standardized crisis protocols for primary care providers and reliable power sources for clinics, citing the vulnerability of medical facilities to disruptions from floods and storms. He also noted the need for equipment to prepare for a range of crises, not solely military conflicts.

Local Production and Pharmacy Access Under Review

Discussions regarding local production of critical medicines in Latvia took place last year, but have so far yielded only an initial report, according to Raina Dureja-Dombrovska, Executive Director of the Latvian Association of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers. Agnese Ritene, Chairperson of the Association of Pharmacies, highlighted the importance of optimizing pharmacy locations, particularly in rural areas, to ensure access to health information and essential supplies.

Ritene also pointed out that current pharmacy stock levels are limited and require clarification regarding appropriate quantities for emergency situations. The ministry refuted claims from the pharmacy sector regarding insufficient communication and collaboration, asserting that adequate meetings had been held.

Call for Swift Action and Streamlined Processes

Ingrida Circene, a Member of Parliament from New Unity, urged the swift implementation of an action plan to strengthen preparedness, advocating for the removal of bureaucratic obstacles following the Health Ministry’s report, scheduled for review later this month. The goal is to ensure Latvia is better equipped to respond effectively to future challenges.