The Liepaja hospital made the decision to postpone planned surgeries at the end of February in response to a significant increase in acute patients requiring treatment. This surge has primarily been attributed to injuries from falls and accidents that are common during the winter months and the thaw, resulting in long waiting times for patients needing care. According to member of the hospital's board, Andris Vistiņš, they have seen an influx of approximately 40 acute patients daily, particularly in the traumatology department, which necessitated the decision to reschedule some procedures.

The initial expectation was that a larger number of planned surgeries would need to be postponed, but ultimately, only ten surgeries were rescheduled. This decision, while necessary due to the overwhelming number of emergency cases, poses challenges for patients who are already experiencing lengthy wait times for elective surgeries. Vistiņš acknowledged the discomfort this causes for patients waiting for planned procedures, stressing that while any delay is undesirable, the critical aspect is the urgency of treatment for acute conditions.

As patient numbers continue to rise, the hospital is managing the tightrope of prioritizing acute cases while trying to maintain services for scheduled surgeries. The situation reflects broader issues within the healthcare system, particularly during peak times such as winter, highlighting the ongoing challenges hospitals face in balancing care demands and resources.