On June 9, 2026, the final EXPO of the project “Healthcare Service Model Development Laboratory” implemented by the National Health Service was held in Riga, at the ZUZEUM Art Center, in a special in-person event and live broadcast. During the event, representatives of 18 pilot projects presented the results achieved, which have been tested in a real healthcare environment, confirming their potential to become part of state-funded healthcare services.
The pilot projects cover a wide range of healthcare areas and are aimed at ensuring that patients can receive more accessible, efficient and modern healthcare services in the future, while the healthcare system can use innovative and evidence-based solutions to strengthen the quality and sustainability of services.
"Medicine and healthcare across Europe are changing rapidly - driven by innovation, technology and demographic trends. In such circumstances, we must not only be able to adapt, but also purposefully introduce new, evidence-based approaches. The pilot projects of the project "Healthcare Service Model Development Laboratory" implemented by the National Health Service show how innovative ideas are transformed into proven solutions. Within their framework, various healthcare service models have been developed and tested in practice - for improving the quality of life of oncological patients, more accurate disease diagnostics, more effective rehabilitation, improving pharmaceutical care, as well as improving access to mental healthcare. I would like to thank patients, medical professionals and all partners for their involvement. We have created valuable healthcare services that are justified in terms of both cost-effectiveness and patient benefits, and I believe that they will gradually be included in the basket of state-funded services," says Minister of Health Hossam Abu Meri, indicating the importance of the project.
Pilot projects began testing their viability, effectiveness and implementation possibilities in everyday healthcare in August 2024. Their results will provide an essential basis for decisions on integrating the most successful solutions into state-funded healthcare. Several pilot projects have used artificial intelligence and digital solutions in the provision of healthcare services, for example, in patient monitoring, triage, streamlining data analysis processes, conducting examinations and monitoring the course of treatment, prescribing medications, etc.
“The final EXPO of the project is an opportunity not only to get acquainted with the results achieved by the pilot projects, but also to see how innovative solutions can improve the quality, accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services. During this time, pilot projects have worked to prove their potential in real conditions, and the experience gained will provide an essential basis for decisions on integrating the most successful solutions into state-funded healthcare. Our goal is to ensure that patients receive modern, evidence-based and sustainable services throughout Latvia,” emphasizes Āris Kasparāns, Director of the National Health Service.
The EXPO event took place in person, but everyone interested also had the opportunity to follow the presentations of pilot project ideas live on the NVD YouTube channel.
As already announced, in order to introduce innovative solutions in state-funded healthcare and improve the availability of services, NVD, thanks to the funding of the EU Recovery and Resilience Facility Fund, is implementing the project “Healthcare Service Model Development Laboratory” within the framework of the EU Recovery and Resilience Mechanism Plan’s 4th component “Health” 4.3. reform and investment direction “Healthcare sustainability, strengthening governance, efficient use of healthcare resources” 4.3.1.r. reform “Healthcare sustainability, strengthening governance, efficient use of healthcare resources, increase in the total state budget in the healthcare sector”.
More than 16 million euros are planned for its implementation from the EU Recovery Fund.
