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Latvia's Oncology Centre Reconstruction in Limbo After Decade of Delays

A decade of talks, still no clear plan. Patients protest as Latvia's only cancer centre hangs in the balance.

Here in this picture in the front we can see a person holding a chart with something written on it,...
Here in this picture in the front we can see a person holding a chart with something written on it, standing on the ground over there and we can also see other people standing all over there and they are holding banners, as we can see they are protesting over there.

Latvia's Oncology Centre Reconstruction in Limbo After Decade of Delays

The long-awaited reconstruction of Latvia's Oncology Centre (LOC) is facing fresh uncertainty, with discussions ongoing for over a decade and funding still undecided. A recent protest by supporters and patients has highlighted the urgency of the situation, with the cost of the project estimated at over €60 million.

The LOC reconstruction has been a contentious issue for at least 10 years, with various parties exploring different funding options. Recently, Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri found himself face-to-face with the concerns of patients and supporters during a picket at the Oncological Centre. A woman scheduled for surgery there on 17 July expressed her fears about the centre's future.

Protesters demanded a clear, long-term funding plan for at least three years. The estimated cost of the reconstruction is over €60 million, and there are ongoing discussions about obtaining funds from EU sources. However, the project is now under threat due to a decision to redirect its funding elsewhere.

Latvia remains the only EU country without accredited accreditation for its Cancer Centre. The future of the LOC reconstruction hangs in the balance, with patients and supporters awaiting concrete plans from the authorities. The Health Minister has promised to address their concerns and outline future steps to ensure the centre's survival.

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