By-laws of the Ministry of Health

Issued pursuant to
Section 16, Paragraph one of the State Administration Structure Law

I. General Provisions

1. The Ministry of Health (hereinafter - the Ministry) is the managing State administration institution in the health sector. The health sector includes the sub-sectors of public health, health care, pharmacy, and legal circulation of narcotic drugs.

2. The Ministry is directly subordinate to the Minister for Health (hereinafter - the Minister).

3. The Ministry is the highest institution of the State administration institutions subordinate to the Ministry.

II. Functions, Tasks and Competence of the Ministry

4. Functions of the Ministry:

4.1. to develop the health policy;

4.2. to organise and coordinate the implementation of the health policy;

4.3. to perform other functions specified in external laws and regulations.

5. In order to ensure the performance of the functions referred to in Paragraph 4 of this Regulation, the Ministry shall carry out the following tasks:

5.1. in the field of public health:

5.1.1. develop the State policy in sub-sectors of epidemiological safety, environmental health, health promotion, and reduction of the harmfulness of addictive substances;

5.1.2. coordinate the implementation of counter-epidemic measures in the State;

5.1.3. [4 December 2012];

5.1.4. [7 March 2006];

5.1.5. participate in policy making regarding the circulation of chemical substances and chemical products;

5.1.6. monitor the implementation of policies in the field of epidemiological safety, environmental health, including trade in and professional use of chemical substances and chemical mixtures and safety of cosmetic products, as well as safety of drinking water and bathing water at national level;

5.1.7. monitor the implementation of health promotion policy at national and regional level;

5.1.8. [4 December 2012];

5.1.9. organise systematic studies of habits affecting the health of inhabitants and evaluate the abovementioned habits;

5.1.10. [4 December 2012];

5.1.11. prepare information and develop recommendations to State and local government authorities, non-governmental organisations, other legal persons and natural persons in matters related to the promotion of health;

5.2. in the field of health care:

5.2.1. develop the State policy in the sub-sectors of disease prevention, diagnostics, treatment, patient rehabilitation, and health care organisation;

5.2.2. supervise the registers of medical practitioners and medical treatment institutions, as well as of patients and persons suffering from certain diseases;

5.2.3. supervise the conformity assessment of medical treatment institutions and their units;

5.2.4. co-ordinate the training of residents financed from the State budget;

5.2.5. supervise the quality assurance of health care in medical treatment institutions;

5.2.6. supervise the implementation of the State statistical information programme for the protection of health;

5.2.7. supervise the procedures for the sale, distribution, registration, operation, and technical supervision of medical devices;

5.2.8. ensure the management of emergency medical situations in the State;

5.2.9. ensure the approval of medical technologies to be used in health care;

5.2.10. monitor the availability of health care services;

5.2.11. monitor the procedures by which the provision of emergency medical assistance to inhabitants is organised and ensured;

5.2.12. perform the distribution of residents;

5.2.13. finance residency;

5.2.14. plan and organise the further education of medical practitioners;

5.2.15. promote the development and quality assurance and assessment of the process of the further education of medical practitioners;

5.2.16. administer the State budget resources allocated to the further education of medical practitioners;

5.2.17. co-ordinate the implementation of the sports medicine strategy;

5.3. in the field of pharmacy:

5.3.1. develop the State policy in the field of pharmacy, as well as legal circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances and precursors;

5.3.2. coordinate, analyse, and submit proposals regarding the development of the system for reimbursement of medicinal products and rational utilisation of the State budget funds for medicinal products;

5.3.3. ensure the availability of quality and efficient medicinal products to consumers and coordinate the supervision of distribution of medicinal products;

5.3.4. ensure access to quality and safe information regarding medicinal products independent from manufacturers and co-ordinate the supervision of advertising of medicinal products;

5.3.5. co-ordinate the establishment of a pharmacovigilance system;

5.3.6. ensure the analysis of pharmacoeconomic indicators of medicinal products;

5.4. carry out any other tasks specified in laws and regulations.

[7 March 2006; 27 January 2009; 20 October 2009; 24 April 2012; 4 December 2012; 24 July 2018]

6. The Ministry shall:

6.1. develop draft legal acts governing the sector and draft policy planning documents;

6.2. submit opinions on the draft legal acts and policy planning documents developed by other institutions;

6.3. issue administrative acts in the cases specified in external laws and regulations;

6.4. ensure the implementation of the sectoral policy in the State administration institutions subordinate to the Ministry, State undertakings under the management of the Ministry, and State capital companies (companies) in which the Ministry is the holder of State capital shares;

6.5. prepare and submit proposals, in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations, regarding the financing necessary for the implementation of the measures provided for in laws and regulations and the relevant policy planning documents and for the carrying out of the tasks of the Ministry from the State budget;

6.6. according to its competence represent the State interests in international organisations and institutions of the European Union;

6.7. perform private legal transactions on behalf of the State which are necessary for ensuring the activities of the Ministry;

6.8. perform inspections of the performance of the functions, as well as other inspections in the State administration institutions subordinate to the Ministry;

6.9. co-operate with other State administration institutions in the development and implementation of a unified State policy in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations;

6.10. inform the public regarding the sectoral policy and the activities of the institutions subordinate to the Ministry, consult with non-governmental organisations in the decision-making process, promote social dialogue in matters related to the development and implementation of the policy, as well as involve representatives of the public in State administration.

7. The rights of the Ministry:

7.1. in the cases specified in external laws and regulations to request and receive the information and documents necessary for the carrying out of the tasks of the Ministry from natural persons and legal persons governed by private law free of charge;

7.2. to involve representatives of ministries, other State administration institutions, local governments, and other institutions in addressing sectoral policy issues;

7.3. to participate in events organised by international organisations, to enter into international cooperation agreements, and to co-ordinate international cooperation;

7.4. to perform financial audits in the State administration institutions subordinate to the Ministry;

7.5. to exercise other rights specified in laws and regulations.

III. Structure of the Ministry and Competence of Officials

8. The work of the Ministry shall be led by the Minister.

9. The Minister:

9.1. shall represent the Ministry without special authorisation;

9.2. shall give orders to the State Secretary and political officials of the Ministry;

9.3. shall give orders to officials and employees of the Ministry administration who shall inform a higher official thereof;

9.4. shall give orders to officials and employees of the State administration institutions subordinate to the Minister and the Ministry and issue binding internal laws and regulations to them, insofar as it is not otherwise specified in external laws and regulations;

9.5. within the scope of the competence specified in external laws and regulations, shall supervise the activities of the State administration institutions subordinate to the Minister or the Ministry, the activities of capital companies (companies) in which the Ministry is the holder of State capital shares, as well as the officials, or authorise an appropriate official of the Ministry therefor;

9.6. may repeal internal laws and regulations, decisions, and orders issued by the Parliamentary Secretary, the State Secretary, and other officials of the administration of the Ministry, except for administrative acts;

9.7. may repeal internal laws and regulations, decisions, and orders issued by officials of the State administration institutions subordinate to the Minister and the Ministry, except for administrative acts, unless otherwise specified in laws and regulations;

9.8. shall appoint and remove from office the State Secretary of the Ministry and the heads of State administrative institutions subordinate to the Ministry, insofar as it is not specified otherwise in external laws and regulations;

9.9. shall determine the internal audit system in the Ministry;

9.10. shall enter into international agreements in accordance with the procedures laid down in external laws and regulations;

9.11. shall perform other functions specified in laws and regulations.

10. The Parliamentary Secretary shall perform the duties specified in the State Administration Structure Law and other laws and regulations.

11. The State Secretary shall:

11.1. organise the development of the sectoral policy and strategy and the implementation of the sectoral policy;

11.2. manage the administrative work of the institution and organise the performance of the functions of the Ministry;

11.3. ensure execution of the orders of the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary;

11.4. establish a rational structure for the performance of the functions of the Ministry;

11.5. plan the financial resources for the State administration institutions subordinate to the Ministry;

11.6. take administrative decisions and issue internal laws and regulations;

11.7. represent the Ministry without special authorisation;

11.8. give direct orders to officials and employees of the administration of the Ministry;

11.9. ensure the continuity of the activities of the Ministry if there has been a change in the political leadership of the Ministry;

11.10. perform other direct functions of a State administration institution specified in the State Administration Structure Law and the functions specified in other laws and regulations.

12. The State Secretary shall have deputies. The competence of the Deputy State Secretary, as well as the units of the Ministry directly subordinate to the relevant Deputy State Secretary shall be determined by the State Secretary.

13. The units of the Ministry shall have departments, their divisions, and independent divisions. Departments, their divisions, and independent divisions shall be established, reorganised, and dissolved by the State Secretary. The rules of procedure of departments, their divisions, and independent divisions shall be issued by the head of the relevant unit subsequent to coordination with the State Secretary.

14. Departments and independent divisions shall be subordinate to the State Secretary or his or her Deputy in accordance with the division of the functions specified by the State Secretary.

15. A department shall be managed by the Department Director. The Department Director may have deputies. The competence of the Department Director and his or her deputies shall be determined in the job description or employment contract of a civil servant.

16. A division shall be managed by the Head of the Division. The Head of the Division may have a deputy. The competence of the Head of the Division and his or her deputy shall be determined in the job description or employment contract of a civil servant.

17. The Minister and the State Secretary may establish councils, working groups, and commissions in the Ministry. Representatives authorised by other institutions, as well as private individuals may be involved in the abovementioned institutions. The by-laws of the institutions shall be approved by the Minister or the State Secretary respectively.

IV. Mechanism for Ensuring the Rule of Law of Operation of the Ministry and Activity Reports of the Ministry

18. The rule of law of operation of the Ministry shall be ensured by the State Secretary. The State Secretary shall be responsible for the establishment and operation of the system for the examination of management decisions.

19. The State Secretary has the right to revoke the decisions and internal legal acts of the administration officials of the Ministry.

20. The State Secretary shall take a decision on the administrative act issued by the administration official of the Ministry disputed by a private individual, or the actual action of the official and employee of the administration unless it has been otherwise specified in external laws and regulations.

21. A private individual may appeal the administrative acts issued by and the actual action of the State Secretary in court.

22. The Ministry shall, at least once a year, provide the Minister with a report on the implementation of the sectoral policy, the performance of the functions of the Ministry and utilisation of budget funds, as well as, in accordance with the procedures laid down in laws and regulations, prepare an annual public report on the implementation of the sectoral policy.

23. The Minister has the right to request at any time a report on the implementation of the sectoral or individual policy, as well as on the activities of a State administration institution subordinate to the Ministry.

V. State Administration Institutions and Capital Companies Subordinate to the Ministry in which the Ministry is the Holder of State Capital Shares

[15 November 2005]

24. The following institutions are subordinate to the Ministry:

24.1. [10 April 2007];

24.2. the State Blood Donor Centre;

24.3. [16 October 2007];

24.4. [9 March 2010];

24.5. [16 October 2007];

24.6. [16 October 2007];

24.7. [7 March 2006];

24.8. [20 October 2009];

24.9. [20 October 2009];

24.10. [10 April 2007];

24.11. [6 May 2008];

24.12. [1 February 2005];

24.13. Rīga Stradiņš University;

24.14. [20 October 2009];

24.15. the Pauls Stradiņš Museum for the History of Medicine;

24.16. [1 February 2005];

24.17. the State Centre for Forensic Medical Examination;

24.18. [20 October 2009];

24.19. [10 April 2007];

24.20. [10 April 2007];

24.21. [24 April 2012];

24.22. [24 July 2018];

24.23. [20 October 2009];

24.24. [16 October 2007];

24.25. [20 October 2009];

24.26. the State Agency of Medicines;

24.27. [20 October 2009];

24.28. [10 April 2007];

24.29. the Health Inspectorate;

24.30. the State Emergency Medical Service;

24.31. the National Health Service;

24.32. [24 April 2012];

24.33. the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control;

24.34. the Anti-doping Bureau of Latvia.

[1 February 2005; 16 October 2007; 6 May 2008; 27 January 2009; 20 October 2009; 24 April 2012; 4 December 2012; 24 July 2018]

25. The Ministry is the holder of State capital shares in the following capital companies:

25.1. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Paula Stradiņa klīniskā universitātes slimnīca" [State limited liability company Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital];

25.2. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Bērnu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca" [State limited liability company Children's Clinical University Hospital];

25.3. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Piejūras slimnīca" [State limited liability company Seaside Hospital];

25.4. [6 May 2008];

25.5. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Traumatoloģijas un ortopēdijas slimnīca" [State limited liability company Hospital of Traumatology and Orthopaedics];

25.6. [6 May 2008];

25.7. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Slimnīca "Ģintermuiža"" [State limited liability company Hospital Ģintermuiža];

25.8. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Daugavpils psihoneiroloģiskā slimnīca" [State limited liability company Daugavpils Psychoneurological Hospital];

25.9. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Strenču psihoneiroloģiskā slimnīca" [State limited liability company Strenči Psychoneurological Hospital];

25.10. [9 March 2010];

25.11. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Bērnu psihoneiroloģiskā slimnīca "Ainaži"" [State limited liability company Children's Psychoneurological Hospital Ainaži];

25.12. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Aknīstes psihoneiroloģiskā slimnīca" [State limited liability company Aknīste Psychoneurological Hospital];

25.13. [10 April 2007];

25.14. [6 May 2008];

25.15. [10 April 2007];

25.16. [10 April 2007];

25.17. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Straupes narkoloģiskā slimnīca" [State limited liability company Straupe Hospital of Addiction Disorders];

25.18. [9 March 2010];

25.19. [6 May 2008];

25.20. [4 December 2012];

25.21. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Nacionālais rehabilitācijas centrs "Vaivari"" [State limited liability company National Rehabilitation Centre Vaivari];

25.22. [10 April 2007];

25.23. [6 May 2008];

25.24. valsts sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Rīgas psihiatrijas un narkoloģijas centrs" [State limited liability company Riga Centre of Psychiatry and Narcology];

25.25. [6 May 2008];

25.26. sabiedrība ar ierobežotu atbildību "Rīgas Austrumu klīniskā universitātes slimnīca" [State limited liability company Riga East University Hospital];

25.27. [27 January 2009].

[15 November 2005; 10 April 2007; 6 May 2008]

26. [1 February 2005]

VI. Closing Provision

27. Cabinet Regulation No. 20 of 14 January 2003, By-laws of the Ministry of Health (Latvijas Vēstnesis, 2003, No. 10), is repealed.

Prime Minister I. Emsis

Minister for Health R. Muciņš

Translation © 2019 Valsts valodas centrs (State Language Centre)