In its performance audit of the development of the medical support capability of the National Armed Forces of Latvia, the State Audit Office of Latvia has assessed the organizational model positively when establishing standardized units, such as medical companies in the National Guard brigades, as well as the initiated progress towards strengthening the acquisition of tactical combat casualty care (TCCC) principles in individual training. At the same time, the audit has identified several strategic and operational areas that require improvements, decisions and targeted action to achieve capability readiness, for which an appropriate recommendation has been provided.
“Medical support capability cannot be created at the last minute. It is a purposefully developed capability based on timely decisions, responsible implementation and regular readiness assessment. Decisions made in the past and being made today will determine how prepared we will be at a time when the lives of soldiers and the continuity of the armed forces will depend on medical support capability. Therefore, its development is both a humanitarian and a strategic and operational readiness issue. Readiness can be achieved through thoughtful decisions and preparations in peacetime. Achieving the required level of readiness requires a realistic and thoughtful vision,” emphasised Mr Gatis Litvins, Council Member of the State Audit Office of Latvia.
The performance audit “Development of the Medical Support Capability of the National Armed Forces” by the State Audit Office of Latvia analysed both the readiness and ability of the civilian sector to provide medical support, as well as the capabilities of the National Armed Forces themselves in this area comprehensively. As a result of the audit, two reports have been elaborated, which provide a systemic assessment of what has been done so far, while outlining the future directions and steps necessary for the development of the medical support capability clearly.
“In improving the medical support capability, we will assess and take into account the conclusions and recommendations made during the audit by the State Audit Office of Latvia to improve the more rapid development of this capability in the armed forces and the successful implementation of the tasks set, thus also promoting the combat readiness of the armed forces. In military medicine, training and skills at all stages of providing assistance are crucial, as soldiers must be trained to provide life-saving assistance in combat conditions while medical personnel must have the skills to provide emergency medical assistance, stabilize a victim, and ensure further treatment,” indicated Mr Andris Sprūds, Minister of Defence.
The interim audit report prepared in November 2025 highlighted the need to strengthen civil and military cooperation (the ability of civilian medical staff and state institutions to provide medical support to the National Armed Forces) in the field of medical support and also included recommendations for improvements in this domain.
In its turn, the final audit report prepared in April this year provides conclusions on whether the prerequisites have been created for the effective management and development of medical support capabilities in the National Armed Forces.
The following was audited:
- Whether and what basic principles of medical support have been established in the legal framework and development planning documents, and whether the development planning of the medical support capability has contributed to the achievement of the goals;
- The organizational model of medical support and capability management in the National Armed Forces of Latvia, that is, whether the implementation of the medical support capability and the organization of management from the point of view of procedures and mutual cooperation between structural units can be considered effective;
- Whether the personnel composition of the medical support capability and its distribution according to skills and qualifications ensure the needs of the National Armed Forces;
- Whether a training system in accordance with the principles of medical support has been established when implementing the medical support capability, including whether the National Armed Forces have access to sufficient instructor resources to provide training;
- The practice of planning and accounting for the use of funding and material and technical resources for the operation and development of the medical support capability.
The audit has also examined the practice of other countries in organizing medical support capabilities such as Denmark, Lithuania, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.
The State Audit Office of Latvia is aware of the public right to know how the national defence capabilities are being developed. At the same time, some information in the defence field must be protected not to endanger the interests of national security. Therefore, taking into account the sources analysed and the information included in the audit report, the opinion provided by the Ministry of Defence, and the provisions of the Law on State Secrets, the report has been classified as information “for official purposes” and shall not be available to the wider public.
This audit is part of the targeted work of the State Audit Office of Latvia on assessing Latvia’s security and defence capabilities. In the changing geopolitical situation, an independent and systemic assessment of the country’s preparedness is of particular importance both for decision-makers and the public at large. The State Audit Office of Latvia will continue this work by assessing various aspects of defence capabilities in the future.
Several audits have been launched currently, including on the ammunition stocks of the National Armed Forces of Latvia, the management of the national critical infrastructure, ensuring food availability in crisis and the implementation of the military strengthening of Latvia’s eastern border. This year, one also plans to launch an audit on the effectiveness of the implementation of tasks and the use of resources subordinate to them within the area of responsibility of the 3rd Latgale Brigade of the National Guard of Latvia.
Information on all current audits can be viewed on the website section of the State Audit Office of Latvia “We are currently auditing”, and on completed audits in the section “Completed audits”. In its turn, more detailed information on risk assessment and determining audit topics is available HERE.
About the State Audit Office of Latvia
The State Audit Office of the Republic of Latvia is an independent, collegial supreme audit institution. The purpose of its activity is to find out whether the actions with the financial means and property of a public entity are legal, correct, useful and in line with public interests, as well as to provide recommendations for the elimination of discovered irregularities. The State Audit Office conducts audits in accordance with International Standards of Supreme Audit Institutions of the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions INTOSAI (ISSAI), whose recognition in Latvia is determined by the Auditor General. Upon discovering deficiencies, the State Audit Office of Latvia provides recommendations for their elimination, but it informs law enforcement authorities about potential infringements of the law.
Image: photo gallery of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia, author Gatis Dieziņš. Image from the 1st Riga Brigade Medical Company of the National Guard of Latvia exercises, which took place as part of “Namejs 2020”.