As a patient, you have the right to access and receive medical help when you need it. This includes the prevention and diagnosis of diseases, medical treatment and rehabilitation.
What is the right to access health care?
Article 5(1) of the Law on the Rights of Patients of Latvia states:
“(…) each person has the right to receive medical treatment corresponding to the state of health.”
This means that everyone has the right to seek and receive medical care regardless of the nature and severity of one’s disease. The right to access health care includes the prevention and diagnosis of a patient’s diseases, medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Patients also have the right to a respectful attitude and qualitative and qualified medical treatment.
Some patient groups may have priority regarding the accessibility and receipt of health care services. In Latvia, these groups include pregnant women, children and persons with a foreseeable disability.
Practical aspects
The right to receive medical help also has practical aspects.
Thus, the health care services must be:
- Physically accessible: medical institutions should be located in relative proximity to your home (this is especially important for rural areas). This also includes accessibility for persons with disabilities.
- Timely: health care services should be provided within a reasonable timeframe (depending on the patient’s health condition).
- Affordable: the cost of health care services should be set at a level that does not force patients to compromise other essential needs (food, utility costs, etc.).
note In Latvia, many health care services are state-paid: the larger part of the cost is covered by the State, yet patients usually need to pay a patient co-payment.
Read more about state-paid health care services in this Guide.