Improving the quality and access of healthcare and making Latvia a more attractive place for healthcare and life science companies to invest is closely linked and we, as AmCham, should explore ways how to help accomplish these higher-level goals. Members are working on several important improvements required in the Healthcare system of Latvia, including promoting efficiency, transparency and digitalization. 

The group is chaired by Dita Erna Sile, Public Affairs & External Communication Head Baltics, Novartis Baltics and AmCham Board Member.

July 2022
On July 7, AmCham has co-signed a memorandum to enhance the implementation of the digital health ecosystem in Latvia along with the Ministry of Health, National Health Service and 17 other organizations. The memorandum was presented at the Digital Health Day on July 7. AmCham will continue to contribute towards the direction of VBHC, data harmonization and an ecosystem approach that puts patient wellbeing at the center.  To view the memorandum (in Latvian). 

May 2022
On May 11, AmCham released a position on sustainable, effective and equitable healthcare financing by proposing to align healthcare funding to the EU average to ensure improved patient care and introduce a value-based healthcare financing model and integrated healthcare approach. To view the position in Latvian and English.

On May 2, AmCham in cooperation with the Institute of Public Health of Riga Stradins University released a White paper on Value-based healthcare (VBHC). The launch event included presentation of the document and a discussion among stakeholders. By summarizing best international practices and terminology, the White paper aims to improve the existing model of healthcare delivery and organization. 

To revisit the videos of the event pesentations and discussion!
To view the VBHC White paper in Latvian
To view the executive summary in Latvian and English. 

November 2021
On November 26, the Chamber held the second annual Health Data Summit Riga to support the digital transformation of healthcare in the benefit of a patient that was organized in close partnership with the Ministry of Health and National Health Service. The summit highlighted a myriad of inspirational health innovations and discussed ways to foster public-private partnerships that can enable acceptance of digital solutions. The summit was watched by over 3000 viewers across the globe. It was hosted by AmCham, the Ministry of Health in Latvia, the National Health Service in cooperation with Novartis Baltics, Microsoft Latvia and Roche Latvija. Partners: Janssen and Medtronic, and supporters AbbVie and Amgen. To revisit the summit!

October 2021
On October 7, AmCham released a position calling for sustainable investments in healthcare in order to ensure healthy nation and economic growth. We propose to increase public funding for healthcare by considering to link the healthcare budget to the GDP growth as well as providing the necessary funding for the fight with oncological diseases. To view the position statement Latvian and executive summary in English.

January 2021
Based on our vision statement on Vision statement on Latvian healthcare, this year the AmCham Healthcare work group decided to focus on carrying out five projects:

• Oncology Data Registry;
• Digital Health Strategy;
• Legal Framework for Secondary Use of Health Data;
• Health Data Summit;
• Value based healthcare approach.

Each of those projects is led by a smaller work group. Read more and sign up for projects

2020
On November 26, AmCham together with the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service held the first Health Data Summit Riga that raised the much-needed debate about data usage in healthcare. Thanks to the extensive inspiration and knowledge gained during the summit a roadmap for digital health strategy will be created. At the conference leading international experts highlighted the importance of data quality and explore ways to implement digital health data strategy in healthcare policymaking. It was organized by AmCham Latvia, the Ministry of Health, the National Health Service in cooperation with Novartis Baltics and Roche Latvija. Partners: The Nordic Council of Ministers' Office in Latvia, Microsoft Latvia, AbbVie, Janssen and TVNET. Revisit the summit!

Recommendations to improve Oncology Data Registry
On October 15, AmCham has initiated, concluded and presented an extensive study to improve the Latvian Oncology Patient Registry in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health, National Health Service and Disease Control and Prevention Center.  The study was presented to the leaders of sector, including the Minister of Health, chairs of leading clinics and authorities, and leading doctors. Among the proposals are improving the existing system so that data from clinics are automatically transferred to national register PREDA. The next step is to streamline processes, including improving content and ensuring data synchronization across different systems. The ultimate goal is to create new oncology data entry process with an entirely new tool which would ensure the input and use of meaningful, qualitative data that will improve patient outcomes, advance research and health policy planning.

To view full list of recommendations (Latvian) 

Vision statement on Latvian healthcare
The AmCham Healthcare work group has developed a Vision statement on Latvian healthcare that was presented to the Minister of Health in October, 2019. The AmCham Healthcare work group has also come up with several proposals including specific pilot projects that could help address some of the identified issues aiming to create more efficient, fair, inclusive and sustainable healthcare system contributing to the development of the Latvian economy and society.