EU member Latvia has the shortest average healthy lifespan, counting at merely 52 years.

In a recent interview on TV24, Edvins Karnitis, an expert from the Department of Human Capital Development of the Ministry of Economy, expressed concerns about the state of Latvia's healthcare system.

Karnitis highlighted that the issues in Latvia are not minor problems, but chronic illnesses and disabilities that interfere with work. He pointed out that Latvia has the lowest healthy life expectancy in the EU, with an average of 52 years, which has not changed at all over the past twenty years. This is in stark contrast to neighbouring countries like Lithuania and Estonia, where the healthy life expectancy indicator has increased by eight years over the same period.

Karnitis criticised the transformation of the healthcare system into a branch of the economy called "medical business". He argued that the system's plan does not prioritize the health of the population, but rather the profit from the sale of medicines. This, he suggested, could lead to an inevitable decline in drug sales due to the extinction of customers, as the current approach may result in a generation that will have to live more than ten years before retirement already being in a state of illness.

However, it is important to note that the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Republic of Latvia has a different perspective. They maintain that there is already a system in place that is acting according to a plan. The ministry did not comment further on the specific concerns raised by Karnitis.

The situation in Latvia is a cause for concern, as it may impact the quality of life for future generations. Karnitis emphasised the need for the healthcare system to understand why the country is lagging behind its neighbours and to address the situation for the generation that will have to live more than ten years before retirement already in a state of illness.

As the debate continues, it is crucial for all stakeholders to work together to find solutions that prioritise the health and well-being of the Latvian population.

EU member Latvia has the shortest average healthy lifespan, counting at merely 52 years.