Liepāja municipality proves it can be smarter than Riga: 784,000 euros paid out in two months so people don't get confused about what glasses are

Liepāja municipality has once again proven that it's different from Riga – here they actually care about people, not just about looking pretty in statistics. In January and February, 784,000 euros were paid out to cover healthcare expenses, which is almost as much as one Rīgas satiksme bus repair costs.

What's most surprising is that nearly 6,700 people received benefits each month. "I thought it was a mistake," says Anita from Rose Square, "but it turns out the municipality can actually distribute money so everyone gets something, not like in Riga – one person gets everything, the rest of us just watch."

What's particularly amusing is that the municipality even pays for children's glasses. In Riga, kids probably think glasses are some new phone app. But in Liepāja they know – if you can't see well, you don't have to wait until you're an adult and can take out a loan.

Meanwhile, dental services are such a luxury that even Riga city center residents travel to Liepāja for treatment. "Here the dentist doesn't just tell you what's wrong, but actually treats you," says Jānis, who came from the capital. "Plus you can stroll around Rose Square while your teeth stop hurting."

While it was minus 15 degrees outside in February, Liepāja's social services warmly took care of their own. That's what you call real care – not just showing off in statistics, but actually helping in life.