North Karelia's welfare district will receive just 2.8 million euros in additional state funding for healthcare services this year. The region originally requested 28.4 million euros in May but obtained only one-tenth of that amount.
Many other Finnish regions received no additional funding despite submitting requests. North Karelia became an exception because it cannot provide legally required services without help.
The Ministry of Finance determined the region cannot fix its situation independently. Officials found no flexibility in current services that would allow internal reallocation of funds.
This sends a clear message to other regions seeking extra money. The state will not provide funding if officials believe areas could first make their own improvements.
During preparation, officials estimated North Karelia actually needed 17.9 million euros. The region didn't receive that amount either because the working group identified unused funds in its budget.
September forecasts show state funding and operational income exceed service costs by 15.3 million euros this year.
The additional funding comes with conditions. North Karelia must direct the money toward sufficient social and healthcare services and emergency response. The welfare district must particularly focus on service availability and prioritize urgent measures to protect residents' basic rights.
North Karelia's representatives in the working group filed a dissenting opinion on the decision.
This situation highlights the tension between regional needs and state budget constraints. The gap between requested and received funding suggests either unrealistic expectations or insufficient understanding of local challenges.