Access to public health centre doctors has weakened in Finland's welfare regions, reports Keskisuomalainen.

Statistics from the Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) reveal that in summer 2024, over 60 percent of customers in the welfare regions accessed non-urgent doctor care within seven days. By April of this year, the figure had fallen to just over 40 percent.

"It appears that loosening the treatment guarantee legislation and reducing the general funding of the welfare regions are weakening access to care," said THL's Senior Medical Officer, Sara Launio.

At the beginning of this year, the government weakened the treatment guarantee by extending the maximum waiting time from 14 days to three months.

Marina Erhola, Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health, believes there is no reason why patients should have to wait more than seven days for care.

"Two weeks is too long, and three months is definitely too long to wait," said Erhola, who pointed out that patients' symptoms can worsen during this waiting period.

Citing the EU's 2023 country report, Keskisuomalainen reported that the proportion of people reporting their medical care needs had not been addressed (6.5%) in Finland was three times higher than the EU average. The worst situation was among low-income groups, it noted.

According to Heikki Hiilamo, research professor at THL, the Finnish healthcare system is unjust, partly due to its comprehensive occupational healthcare.

"Those with the greatest needs receive poorer care and pay more for it. Those who are better off get easier access to care, largely free of charge," he said.

Hiilamo's view is that if primary healthcare worked better in Finland, bypassing it via occupational healthcare would become unnecessary.

All Points North podcast examined whether Finland’s public healthcare system can meet the demands placed upon it. Listen to the episode via this embedded player, on Yle Areena, via Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Women on the frontline

Seventy percent of Finnish women are willing to defend Finland's borders and sovereignty, according to a survey published by the Naisten Valmiusliitto (Women's Preparedness Association) and carried out by E2 Research.

Etelä-Suomen Sanomat reports that 61 percent of women in Finland said they were prepared to defend human rights and equality. While 44 percent of women are willing to defend the country non-violently against a possible armed attack, ony 23 percent of respondents said they would be ready to take up arms.

"The results are encouraging and align with my experience of women's willingness to defend the country and participate in ensuring overall societal security. Women have diverse skills and are ready to use them for the benefit of all of society," said Paula Risikko (NCP), the association's chair and First Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

According to the survey, 71 percent of women are willing to help with practical tasks like food distribution, first aid, or temporary housing. Nearly 70 percent of respondents are ready to take part in training to improve skills for emergencies and crises

Over 500 Finnish women took part in the online survey conducted from May 13 to 18, with a margin of error of 4.5 percentage points in either direction.

Aurora-like algae

Tourists in Finland are being called to experience a new kind of "Northern Lights" — but this one's less magical.

The John Nurminen Foundation, a maritime environment organisation, is launching an ironic campaign offering views of toxic blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea to tourists, reports Iltalehti.

The campaign, titled "Northern Plights," — a punny play on "Northern Lights" — features close-up shots of blue-green algae blooms drifting across the Baltic Sea.

"When looking at satellite images of the eutrophied Baltic Sea, blue-green algae blooms resemble the northern lights," said Johanna Suni, the foundation's communications chief.

The blooms form on the sea surface as a result of eutrophication — a serious environmental issue where excess nutrients trigger rapid algae growth, depleting oxygen and damaging marine ecosystems.

The campaign, aimed at raising awareness and collecting donations for Baltic Sea conservation, also sells postcards with slogans like "Wish You Weren’t Here" and "Greetings from a Dying Sea."

The campaign will be rolled out on 8 June to mark World Oceans Day.

Users with an Yle ID can leave comments on our news stories. You can create your Yle ID via this link. Our guidelines on commenting and moderation are explained here.