Latvia

Health systems in transition
Latvia
All educational programmes are accredited. Social care professionals are taught
in P. Stradins Health and Social Care College and in Daugavpils College of
Medicine. The duration of studies is two years.
Continuing professional development of health care practitioners can be
undertaken under their own initiative and expense. To work as an independent
practitioner, it is necessary to receive certification and re-certification as
described above. Re-certification takes place every five years and depends
upon successfully undertaking and passing specific courses organized by the
professional associations. The courses are offered in the Institute of Post-
Graduate Education of Medicine, University of Latvia or on the premises of
particular departments of multi-profile hospitals.
Regarding educational standards, within the Riga Stradins University and
Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia, all programmes of study are
accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science. The minimum requirements
for a doctor’s professional qualifications are defined by the “Regulations of
the Cabinet of Ministers on the Minimum Requirements of the Educational
Programme to Receive the Doctor’s Professional Qualification” (in force
since July 2002). The minimum requirements for professional qualifications
of dentists, pharmacists, nurses and midwives are defined by the “Regulations
of the Cabinet of Ministers on the Minimum Requirements of Educational
Programmes for Dentists, Pharmacists, Nurses and Midwives Professional
Qualification” (in force since February 2002).
The programmes of the different courses are worked out by the respective
professional associations and are approved within joint meetings of the
associations. There are no differences between public or private institutions in
the training requirements for health professionals.
Registration/licensing
Article 26 of the “Law on Medical Treatment” (1997) determines that only
approved and certificated health care practitioners can provide health care
services independently and in accordance with their respective competency.
Health care practitioners are entered into the unified nationwide information
system, the Register of Medical Persons, in accordance with the Rules of the
Cabinet of Ministers on the “Establishment, Fulfilment and Maintenance of
the Register of Medical Persons” (in force since October 2005). This Register
is maintained by the HSMTSA, and the Centre of Professional Education of
Medicine.
Health care practitioners receive the registration certificate of a “Treatment
Person”, which is proof that the individual has been entered into the Register.
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