Doctor Pēteris Apinis Defends €3.68 Million Sterilization Equipment Purchase

Doctor and public figure Pēteris Apinis has written an opinion piece defending the purchase of sterilization equipment for the Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital and Valmiera Hospital, which cost €3.68 million. The funds came from state and European Union budgets, and the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is investigating the procurement for potential misuse.

Apinis explains that sterilization is a critical component of modern medicine – without it, safe surgery is impossible. He notes that the public and politicians often underestimate sterilization because it is "backstage work" lacking emotional appeal compared to, for example, cancer treatment. The author emphasizes that modern sterilization equipment represents high-tech solutions that not only eliminate microorganisms but also protect expensive instruments from damage.

Apinis describes a five-step instrument processing cycle, starting with manual pre-treatment and ending with sterilization in saturated steam or low-temperature plasma. He points out that each step must be documented and tracked, and that personnel require specialized training. In Latvia, the only place to train sterilization technicians is the University of Latvia's Paula Stradiņš Medical College.

The doctor criticizes society's lack of understanding of sterilization, linking it to the absence of health education in schools. He believes that the €3.68 million investment is rational because proper sterilization prevents hospital-acquired infections, the treatment of which is much more costly. Apinis acknowledges that cheaper alternatives might have been possible in the procurement but overall considers it a sensible choice to ensure patient safety.