Skaļrunis conference to scrutinise politics and rare-disease care

The Skaļrunis 2026 communication skills conference is being held on Friday, with sessions on media work, engagement with policymakers and funding challenges in healthcare, LSM reported, citing the organisers.

Speakers include Aija Kažoka, editor of the Medicus Bonus magazine, who will discuss health journalism as a distinct field, and journalist Jānis Domburs, host of Latvian Television’s Kas notiek Latvijā? programme. Domburs will address the media’s role, politicians’ accountability and the use of facts in advocacy, including how to secure specific answers from politicians and why some issues draw attention while others do not.

Ulvis Kravalis, a personal development coach, educator and mentor, will speak about how emotional intelligence and an understanding of internal and external contexts can help turn ideas into action.

The conference’s first part runs until noon. From 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., a discussion will examine political accountability, promises and the realities of care for people with rare diseases. Participants will consider how to meet growing needs when the sector’s budget has been described as limited for years. Politicians, budget-planning officials, healthcare professionals and patient organisation representatives will take part.

The event is organised by Saknes, an association for people with inherited diseases and their families, and the Latvian Rare Disease Alliance.