Latvia

Health systems in transition
Latvia
Table 5.2 Inpatient utilization, 2000–2005
Inpatient care admissions per 100 ALOS, all hospitals
2000 22.2 11.4
2001 21.1 11.3
2002 20.4 11.0
2003 20.9 10.8
2004 21.1 10.6
2005 22.1 10.0
Source: WHO Regional Office for Europe 2007a.
Note: ALOS: Average length of stay.
Capital stock and investments
By the end of 2005 there were 109 inpatient institutions in Latvia, compared to
119 at the end of 2004. Hospitals are located in all the largest cities and districts.
The size of the hospitals varies, with 45 hospitals having up to 49 beds, 14
hospitals with 55–99 beds, 23 hospitals having 100–199 beds, 14 hospitals with
200–399 beds, 8 hospitals with 400–699 beds, and 5 hospitals having over 700
beds. In comparison with previous years, the number of the smaller hospitals
(with fewer than 99 beds) has decreased notably.
The ownership form of the hospitals also varies. In 2004 in Latvia there were
40 state hospitals, 62 local-level hospitals and 17 private hospitals.
In the period up to the Second World War, 19 hospitals had been built, which
are still in operation today. In the period 1945–1980, 55 hospitals were built
or reconstructed, while after 1980 and up to the end of 2005 an additional 35
hospitals were newly constructed or rebuilt. The hospitals that were built before
the war are mostly pavilion-type hospitals, while those built in the period after
the war are block houses connected with big corridors, in accordance with the
health care-related architectural style known as Minimalist Megahospitals.
In this type of hospital, less attention is paid to strategic aspects, such as
performance of medical procedures, their mutual relations, etc.
Research on the condition of the buildings of health institutions was first
carried out in 1986, but the data accumulated then are not currently useable
as they do not reflect the real situation. Since then, several studies have been
carried out, for example a telephone survey conducted by the HSMTSA
investigating the degree to which hospitals are equipped with generators
supplying electrical power in the event of power cuts. Following a request by
the Ministry of Defence, data were collected concerning the hospitals’ provision
with helicopter landing spots, possibilities to reach hospitals by use of railway
and water routes, the existence of nearby or on-site pharmacies, the possibilities
of treatment and laboratory diagnostics and the amount of services available.
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