VARAM and RSU Will Cooperate in the Use of Modern Technologies and Data in Medical Development

On 26 October, representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) and Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) discussed the possibilities for cooperation in the introduction of new and modern approaches to medical data processing. Building on the objectives of the Digital Transformation Guidelines*, ways to promote the use of modern technologies and data in medicine will be sought together.

RSU was represented at the meeting by Vice-Rector for Administration and Development Toms Baumanis, Vice-Rector for Science Agrita Kiopa, as well as the Head of the Law doctoral study programme Karina Palkova, Director of the IT Department Zigmunds Zitmanis, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Public Health and Social Welfare Daiga Behmane, Deputy Director of the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre Andreta Slavinska and Chairman of the Board of the Alumni Association Dins Šmits. The Ministry was represented by the Minister’s advisor on the digital agenda, Rolands Strazdiņš, and Deputy State Secretary for Digital Transformation Āris Dzērvāns.

‘RSU is a modern European institution of higher education that creates modern study programmes that are in demand on the labour market. RSU also implements research essential to the national economy. We are pleased that we will be able to implement modern digitalisation and artificial intelligence projects even faster at the national level, as well as conduct research on relevant issues in the field of medical data in cooperation with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.’

RSU Rector Prof. Aigars Pētersons

‘We have agreed on a close cooperation with RSU. We believe that RSU colleague’s ideas and intellectual contribution can become crucial support in the implementation of the state data and information life cycle management reform initiated by VARAM. The health sector will be the immediate beneficiary of this reform, where the extensive availability of data will form the basis for the introduction of new services and treatment methods, as well as the creation of new research opportunities for Latvian science,’ said Rolands Strazdiņš, the Minister’s advisor on the digital agenda.

VARAM and RSU plan to sign a memorandum of cooperation to strengthen the exchange of ideas, information, skills and experience based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Both parties agree to develop cooperation in the field of natural sciences, information society, electronic administration and ICT, involving RSU students in the development of research works and other scientific activities to achieve the objectives of the memorandum.

Latvia’s digital transformation guidelines envisage that the state will make significant investments in order to create preconditions for data-based innovations and support digitalisation. Health care and assessment of the effectiveness of the treatment process are among the most important areas where the availability and extensive use of data will bring significant benefits.

VARAM and RSU discussed how to ensure effective and extensive availability of information and data necessary for personal medical care to medical institutions, as well as how to ensure the availability of this data in case of receiving health care services in other EU countries. The digital transformation of the health care sector would complement traditional approaches to health care with AI (artificial intelligence) technology, including machine learning and various e-solutions (e.g. for drug compatibility assessment, treatment guideline development), and AR (augmented reality) technology apps.

There are plans to establish a national biobank, which would ensure the joint use of population genome sequence data for the development of personalised medicine and medical research and innovation using national data exchange sharing solutions.

In order to achieve the goals that have been set, digital skills in the health sector need to be developed. In Latvia, medical practitioners’ and health care workers’ digital skills and competences would promote the implementation and use of successful, efficient and ethical digital solutions in the health sector, so that health promotion, disease prevention and health care services can become more efficient, of higher quality and more accessible to patients.

Digital transformation of science would ensure a value-oriented approach, with Latvia becoming a creator of knowledge valuable to Western culture. Latvia’s scientific research resources are adapting and becoming part of the digital transformation of the Latvian economy, especially the IT sector. Science and research play a systemic role in the life cycle of products and services.

* The draft digital guidelines and a summary of the set objectives, as well as information on participation in the public consultation are published on the VARAM website.