Heated Exchange in Government Over Funding for Sexual Violence Victim Support Center and Riga Maternity Hospital

During today's cabinet meeting, a heated exchange erupted between Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (Unity) and Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks (Union of Greens and Farmers, ZZS) over a proposal by the Ministry of Health (MoH) to reallocate funds for establishing a support center for victims of sexual violence.

The center is planned to open on October 1. This year, €104,744 will be transferred from the budget program "State Support Programs and Other State Significance Measures" to the MoH budget. Of this, €43,484 is for support activities in 2026, and €61,260 for equipment and staff training. For subsequent years, the center will require €173,934 annually, which the MoH plans to cover from the sub-program "Inpatient Health Care Services Provision" by reducing spending on maternity care.

Uzulnieks objected, arguing that the maternity program is an inappropriate funding source. He cited concerns from the health workers' union and the Hospital Association, stating that he does not approve issues in his sector if organizations "raise the alarm."

Abu Meri emphasized that funds are not being taken from a specific hospital and that maternity care remains a priority. He accused Uzulnieks of politicizing the issue, saying, "We will not play with the health of Latvia's residents before elections."

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) saw no direct link to Riga Maternity Hospital's problems but asked Abu Meri to confirm the hospital would not suffer. The health minister replied that funding follows the volume of services provided.

Āris Kasparāns, head of the National Health Service (NHS), explained that maternity payments are made based on actual births, and forecasts indicate the program may not be fully utilized. Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (Unity) urged colleagues not to question internal reallocations within ministries.

The government eventually approved the reallocation, but without ZZS support. ZZS ministers plan to formulate a joint objection.

Earlier, ZZS stated that Riga Maternity Hospital's funding for 2026 had been reduced by €753,659. NHS explained the reduction (8% of total funding) is due to declining birth rates and insufficient state budget. The hospital's planned funding for 2026 is €9.278 million, down from €9.778 million in 2025. The number of state-funded births at the hospital has decreased: 5,839 in 2019, 3,895 in 2024, 3,665 in 2025, and a projected 3,552 this year (1,478 in the first five months). The NHS also plans to increase the bed-day tariff from €128.87 to €142.57 from 2027.