EU – Baltic States, Financial Services, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Medicine, Strike

Participating in the event are professionals from all over Latvia, with posters pointing out the current situation in healthcare. The posters feature slogans such as "Our silence is harmful to your health" and "Ambulance drivers on minimum wage driving cars made out of gold". The event is monitored by about 20 security guards, as well as several dozen police officers.

Valdis Keris, Chairman of the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees of Latvia, said that the aim of the protest is to advocate the human right to good health. Medics, patients, labor unions, and parties are standing shoulder to shoulder, however, there is still no presence of Health Minister Guntis Belevics (Greens/Farmers). Keris said that Belevics "probably has better things to do, informing other countries' representatives about Latvia's achievements."

The protest is progressing in a peaceful and calm manner.

The estimated number of protestors, according to the event's organizers, could exceed 300.

As reported, the Council of the Trade Union of Health and Social Care Employees of Latvia decided last month that a protest would be organized in Riga on April 20 when the city will host an informal meeting of the EU's health ministers.