A landmark bariatric care pilot project in Latvia has concluded, giving 252 people with severe obesity the opportunity to significantly improve their health. Almost all participants achieved sustained weight loss, while a substantial proportion experienced improvements in obesity-related chronic conditions.
At the same time, the project’s results demonstrate clear economic benefits. According to calculations by specialists at AIWA Clinic, the surgical clinic of Veselības centru apvienība (VCA), state-funded prescription medicine costs for pilot participants fell by 49%, or nearly €33,000, within less than one year.
The pilot project aimed to provide integrated care for patients with medically confirmed severe obesity whose health and quality of life were significantly affected by obesity and multiple serious comorbidities. Launched in autumn 2024, the project enrolled participants who met predefined eligibility criteria. They received bariatric surgery alongside comprehensive multidisciplinary support to help them adopt sustainable lifestyle changes, treat obesity and reduce the risk of associated diseases.
“An analysis of the pilot project results shows a clear improvement in patients’ health outcomes,” said Maksims Mukāns, bariatric surgeon at the International Bariatric Centre of Excellence at VCA’s AIWA Clinic.
“Virtually all patients achieved sustained weight loss of at least 25% of their excess body weight during the six-month postoperative follow-up period, while 67% lost at least half of their excess weight. At the same time, a significant proportion of patients also experienced marked improvements in the clinical indicators of obesity-related comorbidities. This was one of our primary objectives – to achieve long-term health improvements, strengthen patients’ functional abilities and improve their quality of life, enabling them to return to everyday activities, work and spend active time with their families.”
According to Mukāns, the most common obesity-related chronic condition among participants was type 2 diabetes. At the start of the pilot, 93 patients had been diagnosed with the disease. Following treatment, 74% of these patients no longer required diabetes medication, while a further 15% were able to reduce their dosage. Similar outcomes were achieved among patients with arterial hypertension, with almost 60% able to discontinue treatment after bariatric surgery.
“The pilot project demonstrates not only significant health improvements for patients but also considerable economic benefits for the healthcare system,” said Igors Troickis, Chief Surgeon at AIWA Clinic and Head of the International Bariatric Centre of Excellence.
“Within less than a year, state-funded prescription medicine costs for treating obesity-related conditions among project participants decreased by 49%, equivalent to almost €33,000. In the long term, these savings exceed the cost of treatment. Treating obesity reduces the risk of complications, lowers healthcare expenditure and enables more efficient use of healthcare resources.”
Troickis also noted that, alongside Romania and Hungary, Latvia is currently one of only three European Union countries where the state does not reimburse bariatric treatment for patients with severe obesity and related chronic diseases. Bariatric surgery has been used worldwide for more than 70 years, and its effectiveness is well established.
The VCA bariatric pilot was one of 18 pilot projects implemented under the National Health Service’s (NHS Latvia) Healthcare Service Model Development Laboratory programme. Project Manager Zaiga Barvida said:
“Healthcare systems are increasingly focusing on value-based care, where patient outcomes and quality of life are at the centre of service delivery. This pilot project provided an opportunity to evaluate in practice how a multidisciplinary approach can improve care for patients with severe obesity through close collaboration between specialists from different fields. The experience gained will contribute to a better understanding of how multidisciplinary, value-based services can be organised and their potential role in the future development of healthcare. Generating and evaluating this practical evidence was one of the main objectives of the National Health Service project, creating a foundation for data-driven and evidence-based decisions on the future development of healthcare services.”
Obesity is a chronic, progressive disease that affects virtually every system of the human body and requires comprehensive treatment. During the pilot project, patients were cared for by a multidisciplinary team comprising bariatric surgeons, endocrinologists, dietitians, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals.
More than 80% of participants were women, and the average age was 44 years. Nearly 60% had class III obesity, while almost 25% had a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 50 kg/m², indicating severe obesity and a significantly increased risk of obesity-related complications.
More than one billion people worldwide are living with obesity. The disease is associated with an increased risk of chronic illnesses, fewer healthy years of life and higher mortality. For healthcare systems, obesity results in higher expenditure on reimbursed medicines, increased hospitalisations, more people at risk of disability and functional impairment, and a greater overall burden on healthcare services.
The AIWA Clinic pilot project, “Value-Based Bariatric Care Service Model”, was implemented under the leadership of the National Health Service and funded by the European Union Recovery and Resilience Facility. The project represents the first step towards establishing a structured, long-term bariatric care model based on value-based healthcare principles, multidisciplinary teamwork and active patient engagement.
About Veselības centru apvienība (VCA)
Veselības centru apvienība (VCA) is Latvia’s largest outpatient healthcare provider, delivering medical services in Riga, Jūrmala, Ķekava, Olaine, Liepāja, Daugavpils, Rēzekne, Talsi and Bauska. Its network includes 27 clinics and medical centres across Latvia, including the specialist clinics EGV, AIWA Clinic, DiaMed and VCA Dent.
VCA provides more than 160,000 patient visits each month across 120 medical specialties and employs over 2,200 staff, including nearly 1,000 physicians and almost 800 other healthcare professionals. Its services include specialist and family doctor consultations, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation, dentistry, surgery and aesthetic medicine.
In the Baltic Brand Capital 2025 survey, VCA was recognised as Latvia’s second most human-centred brand and the most human-centred brand in the healthcare sector.
28.07.2026.
SOURCE
Līga Ribkinska Communications Director, RepharmPhoto https://aiwa.clinic/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/KL1F2224.jpg
