The forum was attended by the First Lady of Lithuania Diana Nausėdienė, Minister of Health Marija Jakubauskienė, Chair of the Seimas Committee on Health Affairs Lina Šukytė-Korsakė, hospital directors, doctors, nurses, mayors of cities in Western Lithuania, and members of the Klaipeda University and Klaipėda University Hospital communities.
The event was opened by the First Lady Diana Nausėdienė, who emphasized in her welcoming speech that the essence of an effective healthcare system lies in the equal accessibility of public services for every resident of Lithuania across the entire country.
“Wise management of the health system – the appropriate distribution of services, expertise, and equipment nationwide – ensures timely, fair, and high-quality healthcare for everyone. At the same time, it reduces social inequalities, improves public health indicators, and strengthens our country,” said D. Nausėdienė. She also stressed that what we manage to achieve together in strengthening Lithuania’s healthcare system will contribute to building a stronger and fairer state for every child, mother, and grandparent. The First Lady invited institutions to unite in teamwork for the benefit of the country and the development of healthcare.
During the Health Forum, the current situation of healthcare in Western Lithuania and potential changes were discussed in detail. The President of the Association of Lithuanian Municipalities, Audrius Klišonis, highlighted three key aspects that are essential in ensuring safe and high-quality services for patients. First is accessibility – ensuring that all patients can receive healthcare services without barriers or restrictions. Second is the quality of services, which must remain high in all hospitals and comply with established standards and best practices in patient treatment and care. Finally, the principle of subsidiarity was emphasized, meaning that healthcare services should be provided as close to the patient as possible, efficiently and in compliance with all requirements.
A representative of the Klaipėda municipality presented the strategic development plans for the Klaipėda region for 2022–2030. Particular attention was given to the integration of the healthcare system in the Klaipėda region, improving the accessibility, diversity, and quality of healthcare services.
The Rector of Klaipeda University, Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas, presented the university’s role in strengthening the regional healthcare ecosystem. According to the Rector, Klaipeda University brings together scientific, clinical, and environmental research to create integrated solutions tailored to the needs of the region’s health system. Responding to the growing demand for specialists both in the region and across the country, KU educates professionals in the fields of health and well-being. The Rector also presented and reviewed the scientific research and innovations being developed at the university.
Prof. Dr. Artūras Razbadauskas emphasized that the Health Forum serves as an important platform for different institutions to meet and seek common solutions.
“Regional partnership is becoming a necessity today if we aim to ensure an efficient, patient-accessible healthcare system based on scientific progress. Only by bringing together science, healthcare institutions, local government, and state authorities can we develop solutions that truly strengthen the region’s health ecosystem and improve people’s quality of life,” he said.
The Director General of Klaipėda University Hospital, Prof. Dr. Audrius Šimaitis, presented the importance of regional partnership. In his presentation, A. Šimaitis emphasized the need for closer dialogue between healthcare institutions, local government, and scientific organizations. He also highlighted the importance of approving the Family Medicine Residency program jointly developed by KU and KUL and further developing residency studies. The establishment of this residency program would strengthen the healthcare ecosystem in Western Lithuania and ensure consistent training of medical professionals in the region. It would also create conditions for attracting and retaining young doctors, strengthening primary healthcare services, and improving access to healthcare for residents, especially in regions where the demand for specialists remains high.
Neringa Čiakienė, head of the Association for Assistance to Oncology Patients (POLA), encouraged evaluating the healthcare system through the lens of the patient experience. She emphasized the importance of clear information, an effective navigation system, and interinstitutional cooperation to ensure that patients can reach the necessary specialists on time and receive coordinated, continuous care regardless of where they live.
An afternoon discussion brought together representatives of healthcare, science, politics, and local government to discuss how the combined efforts of medical professionals, policymakers, and the scientific community could help develop a more efficient, patient-oriented healthcare service network in Western Lithuania. It was emphasized that long-term progress is possible only by combining strategic decisions, scientific insights, and practical healthcare experience while strengthening regional partnerships and trust between institutions.
During her visit, the First Lady Diana Nausėdienė also expressed a wish to visit the KU Methodological STEAM Center. There she became acquainted with the lessons, projects, mentoring programs, and modern learning spaces where students and teachers can conduct practical experiments and research and explore modern technologies.
The center’s team introduced the principles of STEAM education, which encourage young people to engage with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics, while developing creativity, critical thinking, and practical problem-solving skills. It was also emphasized that the center is an important part of the region’s educational infrastructure, providing opportunities for students from across Lithuania to engage in advanced science and innovation activities.
“Thank you for your efforts to inspire young people to take an interest in science, to encourage their curiosity and engagement in engineering and natural sciences. This is a tremendous and very meaningful contribution to nurturing young minds,” said the First Lady Diana Nausėdienė.
