Saturday's Diena has a poignant article (in Latvian). Short summary in English:
A 21-year old Latvian suffering from chronic liver disease (primary sclerosing cholangitis) was waiting for a liver transplant. That would be the first liver transplant performed in Latvia.
The operation was planned for December 2008. Then postponed to March 2009. Then, due to the economic crisis and the healthcare budget cuts, postponed again. The patient was suggested to seek a treatment abroad. Which would cost 80000 Euros which the patient did not have.
Three weeks later, he committed suicide by jumping from a 6th floor window.
The budget cuts are taking their toll. Sometimes, it's a very heavy toll.
Here is the Google translation of the story to English. With some mistakes and untranslated words, but readable.
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