Morning Health Talks in Riga explore the future of secondary use of healthcare data use

Riga, 28 November 2025 — The EIT Health Representative in Latvia (formerly RIS Hub) hosted an insightful edition of Morning Health Talks, bringing together leading policymakers, healthcare experts, and innovation stakeholders to discuss one of the most pressing topics in the country’s health ecosystem: the secondary use of healthcare data.

This session held particular significance as Latvia evaluates the potential adoption of a healthcare data pilot project originally coordinated by the EIT Health Representative in Lithuania. Developed between 2022–2025 and scaled to the national level in Lithuania since September 2025, the project serves as an inspiring example of how structured regulatory frameworks can unlock innovation and cross-sector collaboration.

Regulatory gaps hinder innovation — Latvia seeks a path forward

A central theme of the discussion was the lack of clear regulations governing the secondary use of healthcare data in Latvia. This slows industry interest and innovative initiatives, especially when other countries can already offer regulated and structured data environments. The Lithuanian data pilot project was launched alongside existing data regulations, allowing the involvement of key healthcare and government organisations.

Latvia’s strong human capital recognised internationally

Delightful, the discussion also identified a strength. As Emīls Sjundjukovs (CEO, Longenesis) noted, international organisations increasingly appreciate the skilled human resources available in Latvia. Regarding the healthcare workforce, the challenge is the same as in many European countries: given their heavy workload, clinicians often struggle to see the benefits of structured data collection, which highlights the need for clearer communication and supportive processes.

Regulation for the secondary usage of healthcare data is essential for Latvia for several reasons. First, improved access to and quality of data could unlock a currently untapped value for Latvia’s economy. Second, with an estimated 30% of healthcare resources currently used inefficiently, Alīna Dudele (RSU lead researcher) noted that a regulation would give stable grounds to justified and economically based decisions. Last but not least, informing society plays a significant role. People should know why they are agreeing to share their data, which is a gap now. Such a regulation would assure society and healthcare about the safety of utilizing clinical data.

A call for updated legal frameworks and collaborative action

The conclusion of the Morning Health Talks was clear: Latvia needs to update its legal framework governing the secondary use of healthcare data. With appropriate regulation in place, data-driven projects and cross-sector collaborations can begin, helping Latvia catch up with European frontrunners and strengthen its healthcare ecosystem for the future.