RIGA, Jan 19 (LETA) - In order to make the medical institutions network more efficient, it is planned to reform the system of hospital levels again, according to the Health Ministry's report at the disposal of LETA.

Reform of hospital levels was one of the priorities if former health minister Ilze Vinkele (For Development/For). Even though it had to be completed by the end of 2020, it did not happen. Now it is planned to revise hospital levels again.

The report includes a number of proposals, including to drop the status of second-level hospitals altogether, distributing them among third and first levels.

The report also concludes that Riga has an insufficient number of beds for therapeutic patients and patients with chronic illnesses. In 2020 this number should reach 360 in Riga and Pieriga territory.

The ministry proposes that second-level Aluksne and Tukums hospitals should be re-profiled into third-level hospitals. Aluksne hospital is a strategically important object, ensuring health care services for the Defense Ministry and in eastern border area. Meanwhile, Tukums hospital is important for the coastal area of Kurzeme region.

At the same time, Preilu hospital and Kraslava hospital should be assigned the first or lowest levels, following assessment of their performance in 2020.

According to the Health Ministry, the fifth or highest level medical institutions in Latvia are Pauls Stradins University Hospital, Riga East University Hospital, Children University Hospital, Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital, Riga Maternity Hospital and National Rehabilitation Center Vaivari.

The fourth-level hospital are the large regional hospitals - Liepaja Regional Hospital, Daugavpils Regional Hospital, Ziemelkurzeme Regional Hospital, Jelgava City Hospital, Vidzeme Hospital, Jekabpils Regional Hospital and Rezekne Hospital.

There are also seven third-level hospitals, four second level hospitals and five first-level hospitals in Latvia