EPSU congratulates Latvian affiliate for award

(Brussels 3 March) The European Federation of Public Services Unions (EPSU) wants to congratulate the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees of Latvia (LVSADA) for the Silver Rose award given by SOLIDAR.

The trade union collected 54,000 signatures in defence of the public health system. Due to the economic crises and austerity measures implemented in Latvia, the situation in the health care has deteriorated in a dramatic manner. We witness strong increases in morbidity and the highest rate of mortality within the EU in 2008 (according to WHO statistics). Per 1,000 inhabitants the crude death rate in 2008 went up to about 14 persons, 40% higher than the EU average of about 10 persons. Maternal death is significantly higher then on average across the EU, in the years 2006 to 2008 about two to four times higher

Currently - and for already some time – hospital treatment (about 80% run by municipalities and 20% by state; some private hospitals for special treatment) is restricted to emergency cases whereas for planned treatment many limitations apply, with exceptions for only some diseases or branches (e.g. oncology). But also emergency care hospitals are shut down, 11 in 2009. As LVSADA Chairman, Valdis Keris, told EPSU “Even if a hip replacement is classified as emergency case because the patient suffers heavy pains the waiting period for an operation is about six months, under “normal conditions” the waiting time is about two years. The decrease in hospital admissions has already led to a sharp increase of women and men with disabilities, about 40% more cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009 compared to 2006”. With the economic crises government financing was first frozen and then went down. Adjusted to inflation the expenditure was cut by more than 25% between 2008 and 2010.

On average in Latvia wages and salaries between 2008 and 2010 dropped by about 8%, in the health care sector cuts amounted to about 20%; the gross remuneration for doctors (around 375€ monthly in 2010) is about 1.2 times the average amount, nurses (around 225€ monthly in 2010) receive about 70% of the average gross wage

LVSASA tried to enter into bilateral and tripartite negotiations with government; these talks, strikes or protests in the street, however, did not change government policies; LVSADA also sent reports to the government about the impacts of budget cuts on the health situation of the population, on wages/salaries of health care staff, on investment in infrastructure, technical equipment, with no measurable impact

LVSADA campaign in line with EPSU demands for universal services and health services that are accessible and affordable to all, offering quality services to the whole population. EPSU salutes the struggle of this union to defence the health of Latvian people.

To see a report of the ceremony:

http://www.solidar.org/Page_Generale.asp?DocID=13958&langue=EN&thebloc=26618