On June 29, 2025, a story with the title “A new scandal is erupting in Latvia. Latvians are outraged by the level of medicine” was released on the YouTube channel of the state TV channel “NEWS.BY: news of Belarus and the world”.
The story said:
A new scandal is erupting in Latvia. The country’s residents do not understand how, with such a low level of medical care, the salaries of Ministry of Health officials can be so high. According to official reports, the annual salary of the Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Health increased by 18 thousand euros in 2024 compared to the previous period. In total, the official earned 98 thousand euros, while the level of medicine in the country does not withstand any criticism. Shortage of vital medicines, limited access to modern medical technologies, hospital overcrowding, long queues for treatment and staff shortages. But expensive officials are not Riga’s only waste. Latvia is significantly increasing its defense budget. The authorities did not even consider it necessary to use a small part of it for the reconstruction of the local oncology center, stating that money for military needs is untouchable.
Our verdict based on the conducted analyses:
Verdict: Uncertain
Reasons:
- Evidence for the claim, quotes, or events is absent or insufficient. However, there is insufficient evidence that they are false.
- Cause-and-effect relationships are assumed, although there is only correlation of facts or data.
- This is a research topic on which there is still insufficient knowledge.
Full video:
Let’s conduct an analysis for FIMI/DIMI signs and classic fact-checking.
Analysis for FIMI/DIMI signs
The program story contains the following manipulative elements:
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Sensational headline
The headline “Latvians are outraged by the level of medicine” has a distinctly emotional character, designed to evoke distrust and outrage without indicating specific data — this is a common technique for FIMI and DIMI strategies. -
Contrast between officials’ salaries and medicine
The emphasis on growing income of Ministry of Health officials serves to intensify negative emotions, creating an image of injustice and inefficiency. This is a manipulative technique to undermine trust in authority. -
Reliance on emotional arguments (FIMI/DIMI)
Phrases like “does not withstand any criticism,” “not the only waste” intensify the negative tone, without considering objective improvements in healthcare. -
Question of budget priorities
The accusation that “authorities did not consider it necessary” to invest in a medical center, preferring defense spending instead, is polarizing rhetoric aimed at creating conflict between areas of government administration.
Fact-checking of key claims
1. Growth in Ministry of Health officials’ salaries
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Latvia’s Minister of Health received a salary increase in 2024.
For example, the Minister of Culture received €120,490, which is 10.4% more than the previous year; part of this data is documented Baltic News Network.
Conclusion: Salary increases for officials are a fact, but not unique in civil service.
2. Level of medicine in Latvia
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There is a chronic shortage of medicines and personnel, and the “emergency” arsenal is still being formed — Latvian radio and media reported this .
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Healthcare in crisis situations is being prepared “partially,” and work on strategic medicine reserves still needs to be completed Baltic News Network.
3. Staff shortage and high workload
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A shortage of healthcare specialists, lack of funding and overload is indeed confirmed — this topic is regularly raised in interviews and Ministry of Health reports .
4. Growing officials’ salaries and defense budget
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The average salary in Latvia in 2024 is €1,685, and in the public sector — €1,742
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The country’s defense budget is planned to increase significantly — to 4% of GDP by 2028
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At the same time, the Ministry of Health stated that “funds cannot be withdrawn from the healthcare budget” .
Overall assessment
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FIMI/DIMI: the text uses emotional polarization, contrasting officials and the population, emphasizing social conflicts (defense versus healthcare). These are elements of internal DIMI and external FIMI.
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Facts:
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Officials’ salaries indeed increased and turned out to be above country medians.
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The healthcare system faces shortages of personnel, medicines and resources — this is confirmed.
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The defense budget is increasing, but representatives claim that medical funds will not be touched.
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Final conclusion
The text is not completely disinformative, but manipulative:
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It mixes reliable facts (officials’ salaries, healthcare system problems, defense budget growth) with emotional accusations without presenting solutions and mechanisms.
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It creates a sense of injustice and “mockery” without balance of opinions (primary sources, long-term plans).
Recommendation for readers:
Review official budget reports and Ministry of Health statements to see the full picture. Balancing budget priorities is not necessarily a choice of “defense against medicine”: funding can grow in both directions.
