LATVIA - Medical Device Industry and Demographic Data

Capital city: Riga

Total area: 65000 km²

Population: 2.2 million

Currency: Lats

Language: Latvian

Structure of population:
0-14 years: 13.3%
15-64 years: 69.9%
65 years and over: 17% (2009 est.)

Healthcare expenditure: $1 145 per capita (at int. $ rate, 2007 data)

Number of hospitals: 106 (2006 data)

Healthcare financing: Hospitals are currently paid on the basis of a combination of case based payments by diagnosis group, a per diem payment, and additional payments for medical and surgical interventions. Prospective payments based on DRGs are in the process of being developed. Primary healthcare, majority of GPs work independently as private providers and some as employers in outpatient clinics. GPs are paid on the base of the mixed capitation and fee for service.

Medical device industry: The trade of medical devices is dominated by import; around 78 % of the market is supplied by imports.