Latvia's oncology treatment has noticed an improvement over the past five years.
The Latvian Health Ministry's oncology plan is moving forward with a host of new initiatives and expanded support services, aimed at improving the lives of cancer patients and their families.
One of the most significant developments is the continuation of works in the Thiele- and Uferstraße area, which is expected to continue until March 2026. This includes the completion of the steel concrete wall and sheet pile wall along houses, although these have not yet been fully completed or implemented as of now.
In a welcome move, long-awaited palliative care in the patient's home is now available nationwide this year, marking a new service for patients. Additionally, support can be sought from a number of associations and patient organizations.
Improvements have been made in Data Med and e-Health to facilitate the exchange and reading of visual data, making the process more efficient for healthcare providers. Some of the LTV proposals from 2019 are now included in the plan for 2025-2027, such as achieving a higher response to cancer screening programs.
Most of the additional €21.6 million allocated for next year will be spent on oncology drugs. From next year, the availability of psychological support at Riga East Hospital will be expanded, and there is currently only one specialized psycho-emotional support room for oncology patients and their relatives in Latvia, located at Riga East Hospital. Stradiņš Hospital has two specialists providing psycho-emotional support, as well as a clinical psychologist.
The new oncology plan also focuses on pediatric oncology, and a "yellow corridor" for recurrent oncology patients has been introduced in 2022. The development and implementation of measures of patient experience and the treatment outcomes achieved is included in the new oncology plan.
In 2019, LTV recommended early diagnosis of prostate cancer, specifically targeting men. This year's charity marathon "High Five!" is dedicated to raising money for oncology. The Eastern and Stradiņš Hospitals introduced their own data exchange platform this year, marking a step towards better data management in the healthcare sector.
However, it's worth noting that as of five years later, only the registry has been set up, but there is still no digital description of the patient. This is an area that requires further attention and development in the coming years.
Overall, the Latvian Health Ministry's oncology plan is making significant strides in improving cancer care and support services, with a focus on pediatric oncology, expanded psychological support, and better data management. The plan also includes the implementation of measures to improve patient experience and treatment outcomes, ensuring a brighter future for those affected by cancer.
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