The government has approved Cabinet regulations, which determine the procedures for the implementation of measures implemented by the European Union (EU) Cohesion Policy Fund in medical institutions with a view to strengthening the health system and improving access to health services for Latvian residents.
University hospitals, level IV regional hospitals, as well as higher-level specialised hospitals, such as The hospital of Traumatology and orthopedics, Riga Maternity hospital and National Rehabilitation Centre “Vaivari”, as well as the State Judicial Medical Examiner Centre, will be able to apply for funding.
The Structural Funds will be eligible for investment in the infrastructure of medical treatment institutions, including the purchase and assembly of technology and equipment, as well as construction. The investment will allow for the development of infrastructure, thereby ensuring patient access to both ambulatory and hospital health services, the development of a modern healthcare environment that will facilitate people's access to treatment closer to the patient's place of residence.
The EU Structural Fund will be eligible for funding by the Emergency Medical Assistance Service for the establishment of operational support centres for medical vehicle brigades – Ogre, Jurmala and development in Jelgava, as well as for the purchase of new operational medical vehicles.
The total eligible funding available for the implementation of projects by the end of 2029 is EUR 108 995 936, including EUR 92 646 546 and EUR 349 390.
Project application selection is scheduled to start at the end of 2023, but project contracts are scheduled to be concluded in the first quarter of 2024. Project applications will be evaluated by the project application assessment commission in conformity with the evaluation criteria, evaluating the conformity of the planned activities (works, restoration work, rebuilding, medical technology acquisition) with the level of the medical institution, the range, efficiency, sustainability and impact of State-paid healthcare services on the overall public health services network.
The planned support for development of medical facilities is in line with the recommendations of the Council of the EU for Latvia in the field of health and the priorities set out in the Public Health Guidelines for 2021-2027. The planned investments are in line with the National Development Plan and the information report approved by the Cabinet on the investment strategy for health care provision infrastructure for 2021-2027.
