Latvia

The State Blood Donor Centre in Riga (Latvia) is the main institution within the Blood Donor Service of Latvia, which administrates and coordinates the work of the Blood Donor Service and provides qualification and specialisation for blood service and clinical personnel. There are 7 blood establishments and 53 hospital blood banks, which are all structural units of hospitals and the cooperation is ensured by legislation and based on mutual agreements.
The task of the blood service of Latvia is to ensure the constant supply of safe blood products to healthcare institutions. Furthermore, The Blood Service of Latvia is based on a relatively stable base of donors, in which a well functioning everyday blood product supply chain has developed and the safety of blood products is ensured.
In Latvia, blood service is financed by government, which means that all patients get blood components and plasma products free of charge.
On the whole, Latvia is self-sufficient in blood and plasma products. Technologies for blood collection, separation and testing are confirmed by State institutions, and what is more, The State Blood Donor Centre in Riga, as well as all blood establishments and hospital blood banks are certified by the State Agency of Medicines.