Latvian Medical Association: violence against medics is a serious and widespread problem

The Latvian Medical Association (LĀB) says violence against medical staff is a significant and widespread problem, backed by data the organization has collected. The issue resurfaced after an incident at the emergency department of Jēkabpils Regional Hospital, where a companion of a patient reportedly struck the on-duty doctor who was trying to help the woman.

Survey data point to a widespread issue

In 2025, LĀB, together with the research center SKDS, conducted a survey of 1,005 doctors. Nearly half — 40% — said they had experienced some form of violence from a patient or their relatives within the past year. Of these, 28% of all respondents had faced it multiple times, while 12% had experienced it once.

According to LĀB, these figures show that medical staff safety is not only a concern for the National Emergency Medical Service (NMPD), but also for hospitals, particularly their emergency departments.

Already in 2024, the association, together with other professional organizations representing medical staff, appealed to the Ministries of Health, Justice and Interior to strengthen liability for attacks on medics. That year's survey involved more than 1,700 medical professionals, of whom 61% reported having encountered violence, and 72% of those affected said it had happened three or more times.

Protection should cover all medics

LĀB stresses that protection should extend to all medical professionals who may face dangerous or violent situations while carrying out their professional duties. Amendments to the Criminal Law adopted this spring increase liability for attacks on NMPD staff, equating such attacks with assaults on state officials and carrying the threat of imprisonment. However, these amendments do not apply to medics working in hospital emergency departments, and LĀB is calling for the issue of protection to be addressed more broadly, including practical safety measures at medical institutions. The association has also developed special forms to make it easier for doctors to report incidents of violence they experience.