Latvia State Audit reveals systemic gaps in pediatric healthcare

An audit by the State Audit Office of Latvia has revealed significant systemic failures in pediatric outpatient healthcare. Despite legislation designating children as priority patients, the audit found that no formal system exists to ensure the availability of essential services across different regions.

Key findings indicate a severe geographic imbalance, with 69% of pediatricians working in Riga. Consequently, every fourth child living outside the capital must travel to Riga to receive state-funded secondary outpatient care. In a review of five regional pediatric programs, medical institutions failed to accept children in 71% of cases.

Financial data shows that while the state spent 93 million euros on pediatric outpatient care in 2024, families paid at least an additional 14.5 million euros for private services. The audit suggests that access to timely medical assistance often depends on a family's ability to pay, with charitable donations partially filling the gaps left by the state-funded system.