Inauguration of the new facilities of the expanded Chemotherapy Day Hospital at the East Hospital

Today, on 26 January 2024, in the presence of Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, Minister for Health Houssam Abou Merhi, the hospital board, heads of inpatient facilities and clinics, patient representatives, doctors, nursing staff, and other employees, the newly constructed facilities of the Chemotherapy Day Hospital of the inpatient facility “Latvian Oncology Centre” (hereinafter – the LOC) at the Riga East University Hospital (hereinafter – the Eastern Hospital) were inaugurated, thereby allowing to gradually provide treatment for around 30% more patients than before.

As a result of the implementation of the project, the previous number of 50 recliners has increased to 69, with recliners now conforming to modern standards, providing comfort, and specially adapted for patients in the specific medical profile. The staff, including doctors, nurses, and support personnel, on the other hand, are now able to work in modern and functional facilities, while visitors have access to more spacious and comfortable common areas.

In the inpatient facility, patients have access to the latest procedures in modern, specially designed spaces for chemotherapy patients, so as to ensure that their visits are as comfortable as possible. Ergonomic recliners ensure the well-being of the patient and minimize discomfort during the procedure, providing the necessary positioning for each specific procedure.

Various architectural and planning solutions allowed to provide a healing environment in the expanded Chemotherapy Day Hospital facilities, thereby contributing to psychological, physical, and social well-being, which, in turn, may facilitate the treatment process and reduce the negative impact of stress on the immune system. Consideration has been given to both bright, spacious areas and a relaxation zone – an indoor garden where patients can relax on specially designed benches during the summer, as well as specially adapted lighting fixtures and discreet elements, such as uniquely designed curtains.

The expansion and renovation of LOC at the Eastern Hospital commenced in June 2023. The expansion of facilities covered an area of 5856 square metres. During the renovation of the inpatient facility, special focus was given to the compliance with epidemiological requirements. It was also important to ensure that both patients and the staff feel comfortable while maintaining discretion. During the implementation of the project, more comfortable nurse stations were created, equipped with modern medical technology devices and solutions. The project seeks to provide various ergonomic and functional connections of facilities that, when necessary, enable the prompt assistance.

The total cost of the project for the expansion and renovation of the Chemotherapy Day Hospital facilities are EUR 2 996 872.47, including the funding from the European Regional Development Fund amounting to EUR 2 547 341.60 and the funding from the Latvian State budget amounting to EUR 269 718.52.

Photographs of the newly constructed Chemotherapy Day Hospital facilities are available here

About the Eastern Hospital 

The Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital is the largest and strategically significant multi-profile hospital in the country. The hospital consists of five inpatient facilities – “Gaiļezers”, “Latvian Oncology Centre” , “Biķernieki”, “Tuberculosis and Lung Disease Centre”, and “Latvian Infectious Diseases Centre”, along with various specialised centres and clinics. The hospital provides highly specialised inpatient and secondary outpatient healthcare, offering multidisciplinary tertiary-level treatment and care in line with modern technology and medical knowledge. Approximately 80% of all cancer patients in Latvia are treated at the hospital. It serves as a practical training base for both Latvian educational institutions and foreign students, providing further education and knowledge transfer to healthcare specialists within and beyond the country. The hospital engages in scientific research and develops innovative methods for patient treatment. As the third-largest employer in the country, the hospital employs around 5000 staff members.