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Latvia: Health system review
Uldis Mitenbergs1, Maris Taube, Janis Misins
1Riga Stradins University, Riga, Latvia.
Health Systems in Transition
|April 13, 2013
Summary
Latvia
Area of Science:
- Health Policy and Systems Research
- Public Health
- Health Economics
Background:
- Latvia's health system has undergone continuous reforms since 1991.
- The nation faces challenges of poor health outcomes and limited funding, with high out-of-pocket health expenditures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze recent developments in Latvia's health system organization, governance, financing, and performance.
- To identify persistent challenges and areas for improvement in the Latvian health sector.
Main Methods:
- Review of organizational and governance structures.
- Analysis of health financing mechanisms and healthcare provision.
- Assessment of health reforms and system performance indicators.
Main Results:
- Shift from social health insurance to a National Health Service model in 2011.
- Financial crisis accelerated centralization and shift to outpatient care, with a social safety net for the poor.
- High out-of-pocket spending remains a significant issue.
Conclusions:
- Key challenges include reducing mortality from smoking and cardiovascular diseases, increasing pharmaceutical coverage, and reducing health inequities.
- Improving hospital efficiency via Diagnosis-Related Group (DRG) financing is crucial.
- Ensuring adequate public funding through increased expenditure is essential for system sustainability.
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