Back As part of the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme project “Advancement of Paediatric Oncology Care at the Children’s Clinical University Hospital”, a policy dialogue and discussion titled “Adolescents and Oncology” was held on 26 November, bringing together representatives of the Ministry of Health, Children’s Hospital specialists and patient organisations. The participants agreed on the need to work jointly toward ensuring coordinated, patient-centred treatment continuity and long-term follow-up for adolescents with cancer after they reach the age of 18.
Currently, Latvian legislation allows Children’s Hospital specialists to provide care only up to the age of 18. After reaching adulthood, patients continue treatment elsewhere, which may result in changes in access to state-funded healthcare services, medication availability, and the need to ensure high-quality data transfer between healthcare institutions.
Each year, approximately 50–70 adolescent cancer patients in Latvia turn 18, many of whom require transition to adult oncology services or long-term follow-up. International guidelines emphasise that cancer patients should receive follow-up care for at least five years after active treatment. When care begins at the Children’s Hospital, clear steps must be in place to ensure that responsibility for the follow-up process does not fall solely on the patient or their family.
Valts Ābols, Chairman of the Board of the Children’s Hospital, stated:
“Today marks a transformational step for paediatric healthcare in Latvia. Transformation begins when we break down outdated boundaries. One of those boundaries—the idea that we stop treating a patient on their 18th birthday—is being replaced with a vision for the future based on flexible, individualised approaches. We need to find the right time for each young person to transition to adult care. International practice shows that the most effective model is a gradual transition, where paediatric and adult care specialists work hand in hand.”
In October, the Latvian Government approved the Oncology Care Improvement Plan for 2025–2027, which sets the goal of establishing a coordinated transition process to adult medicine for adolescent patients. For those who continue treatment beyond the age of 18, the plan foresees follow-up care funded from the state budget up to age 24 and the development of a national long-term survivorship programme.
Līga Āboliņa, Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Health, noted that this is a step forward:
“We must agree that the transition from paediatric to adult care must be gradual and centred around the actual needs of the adolescent patient. A coordinated approach is critical to ensure continuity of treatment, appropriate follow-up, and timely decisions on care, while also supporting the patient’s emotional well-being and that of their family.”
Specialists from Riga East University Hospital and Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital also supported closer collaboration between paediatric and adult oncology teams during the transition process.
Sanita Janka, Director of the Department of Healthcare Services at the Ministry of Health, stressed:
“To ensure state-funded follow-up care, we need regulatory changes, adjustments in physician training, and reallocation of financial resources. However, many improvements can be made without additional funding. For instance, we can begin implementing a standardised approach to cancer patient care pathways regardless of age.”
Guna Sietiņa, Head of the patient organisation Blastiņš, confirmed that parents and young people often worry about what happens after turning 18:
“Improving communication between healthcare providers, as well as between doctors and patients, is one of the most important factors in ensuring effective services for adolescents.”
Madara Blumberga, Oncology Nurse Educator at the Children’s Hospital, highlighted the need for a system that puts the young person at the centre of the care team, allows them to participate in shared decision-making based on their maturity, and enables them to clearly express their needs at each stage of care.
Dr. Calogero Mazzara, paediatric haematologist-oncologist at Lausanne University Hospital (Switzerland), also emphasised the importance of listening to the patient’s voice and tailoring services accordingly.
“The support of the Swiss government is essential to ensure that young people with cancer in Latvia receive care and support on par with leading international clinics,” the organisers underlined.
The policy dialogue “Adolescents and Oncology” was organised by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Children’s Clinical University Hospital within the framework of the Swiss–Latvian Cooperation Programme project “Advancement of Paediatric Oncology Care in Latvia”, serving as a platform to promote a shared understanding of holistic support for adolescents with cancer, based on international experience. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Health, Children’s Hospital, RAKUS, PSKUS, Riga Stradiņš University, University of Latvia, National Health Service, Ombudsman’s Office, non-governmental organisations, Swiss cooperation partners, and other stakeholders.
To symbolically underscore that the project aims to support all oncology patients—not just adolescents—soft fleece blankets were delivered to the Children’s Hospital oncology ward and distributed to patients on the day of the event.
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