Lithuania's incoming health minister to retain some deputies for continuity

Lithuania's incoming Health Minister L. Kukuraitis intends to keep several deputy ministers in their positions to ensure continuity and institutional knowledge within the ministry. Kukuraitis, who is new to the system, emphasized the importance of having individuals with deep understanding of the health sector on his team.

"I am not from this system, so it is important to have people from the system on the team. I will strive for there to be people from the system and for elements of continuity and transferability to be maintained," Kukuraitis stated during a meeting with the Liberal Movement faction in the Seimas. He added that the final list of retained deputies would be announced only after they receive clearance from the relevant government services.

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I am not from this system, so it is important to have people from the system on the team. I will strive for there to be people from the system and for elements of continuity and transferability to be maintained.

Kukuraitis is currently assembling his team with the goal of ensuring his priority areas are represented and that continuity is preserved. The current deputy health ministers include Laimutė Vaidelienė, who has over 30 years of medical experience, Daniel Naumovas, formerly a board member of the association "LithuaniaBIO" and a docent-partner at "Vilnius Tech," and Arnomedas Galdikas, who was delegated by the "Nemuno aušra" party. Skirmantas Krunkaitis, who previously served as an advisor to the minister, is also part of the team. Notably, Galdikas faced scrutiny in the spring regarding his suitability for the role after an interview where he hesitated multiple times when asked about Crimea's ownership.

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I am currently forming the team in such a way that my priority areas are reflected, and elements of continuity will also be present.