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Riga East University Hospital hands over the Latvian Oncology Centre to the contractors for a full-scale reconstruction
Riga East University Hospital (East Hospital) has completed preparatory works for the full-scale reconstruction of the Latvian Oncology Centre (LOC) inpatient facility. Over the course of 22 weeks, 22 departments were relocated and the premises intended for the reconstruction were vacated, while ensuring continuity of patient treatment and care. On 8 July 2026, the building was handed over to the consortium “Newcom–Citrus”, and the reconstruction works will cover 10 storeys and an area of more than 23,000 square metres.
The event marking the handing over of the LOC building was attended by the Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri, the management of East Hospital, representatives of the LOC inpatient facility, the construction consortium, and representatives of other organisations involved in the project.
“For many people, the day they receive an oncology diagnosis divides their lives into two parts – before and after. I know this not only as a doctor and a health policy maker, but also from my own experience. That is exactly why oncology is not just one of my priorities in the healthcare sector – it is a personal commitment for me. Not only in oncology, but in any medical treatment process, it is not just the doctor, the medical staff and the medications that provide treatment. The environment in which a person receives medical assistance is also important. A sense of safety is fostered by a well-organised and modern medical environment, as well as a respectful attitude towards each patient. It is also important for the medical staff to have working conditions they need to perform their highly complex and responsible work properly. Investing in healthcare infrastructure is always an investment in people – in the dignity of patients, the quality of work performed by doctors and nurses, and more humane healthcare. I would like to thank everyone who has helped and supported implementation of this project – the team at Riga East University Hospital, the doctors, nurses, and all healthcare professionals, as well as the policymakers who made the decisions that made this significant infrastructure improvement possible. The reconstruction of the Latvian Oncology Centre will provide a more modern, safer, and patient-centered treatment environment, where people will receive not only professional medical care, but also respectful attitude, support, and compassionate care, during the hardest time of their life,” emphasised the Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri.
The project involves reconstruction of medical departments and common areas, creating modern facilities with more than 300 beds. A new surgical wing with eight operating rooms will be constructed; infrastructure for six Level 3 intensive care beds will be established; patient, staff and infection control flows will be optimised; and the building’s engineering systems will be modernised. The project also includes construction of a new electrical connection, reconstruction of the elevator infrastructure and renovation and expansion of the specialised sewage system.
“When we commenced relocating the departments, we were committed to retain the quality of patient treatment and continuity of care. We have fulfilled this promise, as the process was completed on schedule, the premises are vacated and medical services were not interrupted. This was made possible thanks to very careful planning and the professional work of the medical and nursing, technical, administrative and project management teams of the East Hospital,” emphasised Vadims Beļuns, Chairman of the Board of East Hospital.
Some of the departments of the Latvian Oncology Centre continue to operate at the modernised “Gaiļezers” inpatient facility, which has already received positive feedback from patients and medical staff.
“Treatment of oncology patients is a complex and highly responsible process in which both the professionalism of doctors, nurses, and care staff, and the environment in which the patient receives treatment and support are important. To ensure that patients receive the full range of medical services they need, surgery schedules, the work of departments, patient flows and staff responsibilities were reorganised. The transition period required a great deal of adjustment on the part of our team, but our medical work continued without interruption. The next phase of the project starts now, and both our patients, and the team of the Latvian Oncology Centre are eagerly awaiting the result,” emphasised Andrejs Pčolkins, the Chief Physician at the Latvian Oncology Centre inpatient facility.
“The handover of the site to the construction consortium marks the transition from the preparatory phase to the full-scale implementation of construction works. As the project progresses, precise work planning, quality control, timely decision-making, and adherence to deadlines will be of particular importance. Our goal is to ensure that the reconstruction proceeds at the planned pace and each phase is carried out in accordance with the project requirements,” said Kaspars Plūme, Member of the Board of East Hospital.
“Reconstruction works of the Latvian Oncology Centre are implemented in an active hospital environment, where uninterrupted medical treatment process continues alongside the construction works. This means that every work must be planned not only from a construction perspective, but also from the perspective of the day-to-day operations of the hospital. Our collaboration with Riga East University Hospital is open and constructive, and works take place according to the plan. In projects like these, close cooperation and mutual trust between the customer and the contractors are among the most essential preconditions for a successful outcome,” states Dāvis Eniks, Chairman of the Board of SIA “Citrus Solutions” and representative of the construction consortium “Newcom–Citrus”.
The participants symbolically marked the transition to the full-scale reconstruction phase by reinforcement bar tying. In construction, reinforcement bars ensure the strength and load-bearing capacity of reinforced concrete structures, whereas at the event, this activity symbolised shared responsibility of the project participants for carrying out the reconstruction.
The reconstruction works of the Latvian Oncology Centre are scheduled to be completed by the fall of 2028. After completion of the project, patients will have access to more modern and safer treatment facilities, while medical staff will be provided with a more functional environment better suited to their work needs.
About East Hospital
Riga East University Hospital is the largest and most strategically important multi-field hospital in the country. The hospital comprises five inpatient facilities – “Gaiļezers”, “Latvian Oncology Centre”, “Biķernieki”, “Centre of Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases” and “Latvian Centre of Infectious Diseases” – involving centres and clinics specialising in various fields. The hospital provides highly specialised inpatient and secondary outpatient healthcare, offering multidisciplinary tertiary-level treatment and care in line with the latest technologies and medical knowledge. Approximately 80% of all oncology patients in Latvia receive treatment at the hospital. The hospital serves as a practical training facility for students from Latvian educational institutions and for students from abroad, and provides continuing education and knowledge transfer to healthcare professionals in our country and beyond. The hospital conducts scientific research and develops innovative methods for patient treatment. The hospital is the third-largest employer in the country, with about 5,000 employees.
