Methods of Complementary medicines are becoming still more popular in Latvia since the time. They are inte-grated in the systems of local Social Welfare and go more deep into the Clinical Medicine in Latvia. The most used complementary medicine specialities are homeopathy and acupuncture. Physicians provide the most part of complementary medicines, but non-doctors using them are some of importance in Latvia. The cooperation of both medical traditions of East and West is successful. Latvia has definite success in it, that resulted in the field of medical postgraduate education, legal clinical application and integration into the State system of Social Welfare.

The licensing to practice

I. General principles:

Latvia has a monopolistic system on licensing medical professions. Only physicians are allowed to undertake medical treatments. In order to practice legally as a recognized physician the following condition are: first, to be graduated from the local Medical Academy or from any other Medical High School which delivers recognized diplomas, then, to undergo the authorization according to the local by-law legislation.

2.1. The situation of physician using complementary medicines:

The Council of the Ministers of Republic of Latvia delegated the Medical Society of the Republic of Latvia the power to regulate and survey all medical specialties. Only doctors certified in the field of complementary medicines may practice legally, after having passed through the special training courses. They are controlled by an expert commission which encloses members of medical associations, in cooperation with representatives of Medical Society of the Republic of Latvia. Concerning acupuncture, for example, the Association of Medical Acupuncture and Related Techniques is in charge of the certification of physicians in Latvia. The Certification Commission includes 10 experts-professionals and is headed by the president of the Association. Analogue commissions provide certification for other methods of complementary medicines. The state certificate is valid for a period of five years. Then, in order to obtain a new authorization, the practitioners have to follow new courses and pass a new examination. Acupuncture and homeopathy got the legal status of clinical specialities (equal in right among the others clinical specialities of Western medicine) since 1990.

2.2 The situation of non-allopathic medical practitioners using complementary medicines:

people without a medical education are not allowed to practice complementary medicines even with the condition that they work under the survey of a recognized health professional. In practice, alternative medicines seldom are used also by “healers” who do not have any recognized training. In these cases, the Administrative Codex tackles a penalty for unauthorized medical practice. It consists in the practice of complementary medicines without authorization. However, patients sue healers very seldom, if their health has not been damaged. Generally speaking, non-doctors are prosecuted by local medical officials and are taken under the tough control of the medical Associations.

2.3. The training of practitioners:

since 1990, medical Acupuncture and the theory of traditional Chinese Medicine are integrated in the training process for postgraduates. Over 500 physicians from the countries of Scandinavia and Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania passed already through this International Training course. There are some special shoot-period courses in order to give special limited knowledge (between one and two years medical courses within the Authorized Program).

The reimbursement of complementary medicines

1. Presentation of the Healthcare System: the Ministry of Social Welfare which includes four departments: Health, Work, Social Insurance and Social Protection is responsible for the healthcare system. A Social tax and other general taxes finance the healthcare system. The whole population of Latvia is covered by the Social Insurance. People, who need Medical Care can choose their physicians or therapists. The Health Insurance covers the majority of medical costs. A copayment is required for drugs and for some therapies which are not included in the list of medical specialities and methods, (also including certain complementary medicines).

2. The situation of complementary medicines: Complementary medicine activities were, generally, not covered by the compulsory Health Insurance. The expenses were usually covered by patients. However, since Acupuncture and Homeopathy were included in the list of medical specialities in 1990), the Social Insurance is going to reimburse all expenses in connection with them (including consultations and treatments). This will be guaranteed by local State Medical Insurance Company. As for some of methods of diagnosis Dr. R. Volt electropuncture, iridodiagnosis, bioresonance, for example) they will have partial reimbursement.

The present tendency is that private insurance are also going to cover Complementary Medicines. Starting from 1998, two insurance companies (“Balta” and “Parex”) will cover Complementary Medicines (particularly acupuncture and Homeopathy). The reimbursement will include both the consultation and the treatment given by doctors.