Treatment abroad: Latvia 

Latvia, a burgeoning destination for medical tourism, offers cutting-edge treatments in fields such as cardiology, orthopaedics, and dermatology, with its state-of-the-art facilities and highly skilled medical professionals attracting patients seeking quality healthcare in a serene Baltic setting.

Quality of care, low prices and a lovely European setting make Latvia a popular overseas health care destination for international medical tourists who are seeking surgery and treatment abroad.

Medical tourism in Latvia has been on the rise for a number of years, particularly since 2005. Like the other Baltic countries, it is a leading destination for a variety of surgeries and medical treatments.

Latvia features a high number of private healthcare facilities and impressive standards of technology and healthcare quality. Combining these factors with the competitive prices and tourist attractions makes Latvia an appealing location for medical tourism.

Why choose Latvia for treatment?

Latvia is an attractive destination for the medical tourist as treatments and consultations are available at very competitive prices. For example, a hip or knee operation in a Latvian centre will cost around half the price of other European private clinics, particularly those in Germany and the UK.

Private hospitals have modern medical equipment and experienced doctors/surgeons often further their studies on exchange programmes in countries such as Sweden, Berlin, the UK or the US, and speak several languages. Patients requiring knee, hip or shoulder surgery and all types of orthopaedic operations are treated at the Latvian Hospital of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, one of the largest orthopaedic hospitals in Eastern Europe (in Riga) and along with very good value for money, highly professional surgeons with a very good attitude and quality of care, MRSA regulations are compliant with European regulations.

Reasons to choose Latvia

A friendly, welcoming Baltic country

Treatments and consultations are around half the price

Hospitals have modern medical equipment and experienced doctors

Served by low cost European airlines

Riga is a world heritage site bursting with history and culture

Countryside littered with medieval castles and Baroque fortresses

Doctor accreditation

The Latvian medical student undertakes a six year course of study leading to his/her Degree in Medicine, with dentists undertaking five. Most doctors start their education in the Latvian University Medical Faculty or P Stradina Medical University and often go abroad to advance their qualifications. Every doctor, surgeon, hospital or a practice must adhere to regulations of the Latvian Medical Association which is working under supervision of the Latvian Ministry of Health and each doctor, surgeon, hospital or practice must be certified and licensed. Inspections are very common, regular and strict, and compliant with European regulations.

Latvian doctors must study for a further four years to specialise in their particular field of medicine, (e.g. to gain specialist expertise such as spinal surgeon or plastic surgeon). Graduates first study ‘internatura’ and then ‘residentura’ with a total study time for medical specialisation being ten years. There are several medical colleges in Latvia and the most prestigious medical schools are the Latvian state universities; namely the University of Latvia (Faculty of Medicine) and Riga Stradina University. The state colleges are Daugavpils Medicine College, Liepaja Medicine College, P. Stradins Health and Social Care College, Riga 1st Medicine College, Red Cross Medicine College and Riga Medicine College. Many foreign students come to Latvia to study from India and the Middle East.

Latvian doctors receive a certificate (permission) to practice in their field and this lasts for five years and is issued by the individual medicine field’s association. Each five years they must do a re-certification. Doctors must have an “Arsta diploms”, the medical degree certificate issued by a Latvian university and specialists should have a “Sertifikats” (Certificate) awarded by the Latvian Medical Association. The Latvian Ministry of Health is the regulatory medical authority located in Riga at Latvijas Republikas Veselibas Ministrija, Sabiedribas Veselibas Departaments, Baznicas iela 25, Riga LV-1010. Tel: + 371 702 1646 and the Latvian Medical Association (located at Latvijas Arstu Biedriba, Skolas iela 3, Riga, LV-1010) works under the Ministry’s supervision. Specialist associations exist for doctors to belong to such as the Latvian Society of Surgery, the Traumatology and Orthopaedics Society and the Latvian Association of Surgery, while cosmetic surgeons should be certified members of organisations such as the International Society of Aesthetic Surgery(ISAPS) and dentists should be members of the Latvian Dental Association (Latvian site only) which governs the Latvian dentistry industry, located at 20 Dzirciema Str., LV-1007 Riga, LATVIA. Tel: +371 7 455058.

Travel and accommodation

Riga International Airport (RIX) is the main hub for international air traffic and is located 8km southwest of the city, at Jurmala, serving flights to and from all over Europe. Since becoming an EU member the airport has been substantially renovated and further improvements are underway to cater for the increase in air traffic.

Several hotels provide a shuttle bus to and from the airport and there is a 24 hour taxi service available outside arrivals. Taxis can either be ordered at the counter in the arrivals hall or picked up at the taxi stand, and the fare into town will be around 8 LVL (roughly £8).

Alternatively, the public bus service (number 22) departs from the airport to the city centre throughout the day, calling at Riga’s Central Station and Strelnieku Laukums, and continues the loop from Abrenes Street in the centre of town. The journey time is around half an hour and the fare will be roughly 0.30 LVL (about 30 pence). Buses leave every 20 minutes or so from the bus stop located opposite the terminal behind the car park. Bus 22A is the express service connecting the airport with the centre of Riga calling at Katedrle and Brvbas Blvd. There are also airports at Liepaja and Ventspils which have also been renovated to serve international charter flights and will soon operate internal flights to and from Riga.

Getting there by rail, road and ferry

Latvia has good connections to Scandinavia and continental Europe so if you’re not keen on flying then consider maritime transport which links Riga, Liepaja and Ventspils with the other Baltic Sea countries and has ferry connections from Stockholm to Riga with Tallink, (journey time of 16 hours) and with DFDS Tor Line in the UK from Immingham, but the overall journey is lengthy (around three days involving connections and road travel). The passenger port is located centrally. Getting to Latvia by rail from anywhere in mainland Europe is also a viable option.

Coach routes have developed rapidly in recent years and for drivers there are highways into Latvia from Estonia, Lithuania, Belarus and Russia. Car rental companies are at the airport and driving is on the right. For driving tips in Latvia see Auto Europe’s guide but if you don’t feel like driving then for around €50 you can hire a driver.

Travelling around the country

Latvia’s national railway company, Latvijas Dzelzcels operates rail services in Riga but expect delays on intercity and international routes as not much development has taken place since the country’s independence in 1991. Riga’s central station, Centrala Stacija, Stacijas laukums has separate departure and arrival halls for international and domestic services.

Public transport in Riga is good and runs from 5:30 in the morning to midnight with night services on certain routes. There are 11 tram lines, 23 trolleybus routes and 39 bus routes and if you travel anywhere in the city the charges are very low Tickets can be purchased upon boarding buses, and tram tickets can be bought at kiosks around town which should be stamped in the machines once on board. Be aware that separate tickets are needed for trams, trolleybuses and buses. If you’re in a hurry then hop on to the ‘mikroautobuss’ which has limited stops and costs only a few LVs more.

Accommodation

A room in a three star hotel in Riga will typically starts at around €45 and a more luxurious room starts at about €60. If you are planning to visit the Latvian seaside resort town of Jrmala there are plenty of hotels situated a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

The currency in Latvia is the Lats (plural Lati) and €1 is approximately 1.4 Latvian Lati (LVL). From January 1st 2014, the Lats was replaced by the Euro and became non-legal tender on January 15th 2014.

Latvia is GMT + 2.

About Latvia

Chances are, many people would struggle to point to Latvia on a map, but in some ways, that’s part of its charm. Latvia is not thronging with tourists, or spoiled with tourist-focused attractions, which leaves it beautiful, unspoilt and waiting to be explored.

For the record, Latvia is at the northern tip of Europe on the Baltic coast, bordering Russia, Estonia, Lithuania and Belarus. It is a small, compact country that is almost half forest, and boasts no less than 500km of stunning Baltic Sea coast and beaches. After years of Soviet rule Latvia gained independence in 1991 andjoined the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in the spring of 2004. It has since emerged asa young, fresh and inspiring country to visit, boasting plenty of diversions for the medical tourist. Think unspoiled nature, miles of sandy coastline and beaches equal to those on the Mediterranean, lively new bars and cafs, historical buildings, and a top showcase of stunning Art Nouveau architecture.

As a result of its strategic location, Latvia has seen army after army pass through its borders, from Ivan the Terrible to Napoleon, including the struggles of two world wars. This has had a remarkable effect on the local architecture. The countryside is littered with magnificent medieval castles and Baroque fortresses, while other areas are as wild as it comes, as they were closed off for military exercises by the occupying Soviet forces.

Combine this turbulent military past with a trading history that goes back even further to the Ancient Greeks, and you get a cultural melting pot that is fascinating to explore and enjoy, from the historic capital city of Riga to the modern coastal resorts like Jurmala, that have everything today’s tourist demands.

As the largest city of the three Baltic States the Latvian capital, Riga, is smooth and sophisticated and is growing in popularity as a city-break destination. Riga is a world heritage site bursting with history and culture, and is a must for any visitor to Latvia. This modern cosmopolitan city rivals any in the region for excitement and entertainment, with everything from top class music festivals to the stunning Art Nouveau architecture in the Old Town.

Trams hurtle along the city’s wide boulevards passing many an interesting Art Nouveau-styled building, as well as the occasional reminder of post-Soviet rule in buildings such as Spilve airport on the outskirts of town. Take a wander along the narrow cobbled streets of the Old Town which dates back to 1201 to marvel at ancient buildings such as the Riga Dome Cathedral, the Gothic styled St Peter’s church, along with the Three Brothers houses, the Occupation Museum of Latvia (1940 1991) which houses archives and memorabilia from the Nazi and Russian occupation, and Riga Castle where the Latvian History Museum and the Foreign Art Museum are also located. Afterwards wind down with a Latvian beer in one of the many pubs, which will probably have some live music as the Latvians are renowned for being very musical.

However, to limit yourself to the cities is to miss the best of Latvia, so make sure you head into the interior to experience the undisturbed nature, clean air and breathtaking beauty of the countryside.

Country hot spots include a visit to the medieval castle in Csis, the rapids on the River Gauja and the beaches on the ‘Baltic Riviera’. The Baltic coastline is enjoying a new lease of life with white sandy beaches stretching for 500 kilometres, among biosphere reserves and national parks. The most popular beaches are Liepja, Ventspils and Jurmala, which is just a half hour train ride from Riga with more than a little hint of the Mediterranean. Latvia has endless trails for cycling, hiking and climbing, as well as a host of organised activities such as white water rafting and sailing.

Latvian is the official language with Russian, other Balkan languages and English also spoken. Latvia has a maritime climate with wet, moderate winters. Summers are cool and cloudy in Riga with an average temperature of 17 degrees Celsius and an average winter temperature in January of minus 4 degrees.

Above all, remember that Latvians are a welcoming people. After all, they have been welcoming traders and merchants from the known world for millennia. So whether you choose a leisurely break on the beach, an inspiring city stopover, or head out to explore the country at its fullest, you are in for a real treat.