Paediatric surgeon in Latvia
when to go immediately, where children are operated on, what it costs
- Certification check: State register of medical practitioners (opens in a new window)
- Noticed outdated info? Report it
A paediatric surgeon discusses test results with parents and whether the child needs an operation. The doctor explains the next steps in plain language.
The consultation happens over video, so it works the same in Riga, Daugavpils, Liepāja, Jelgava, Jūrmala, Ventspils and Rēzekne.
No verified doctor in this specialty yet
We check every certificate by hand, so the list grows step by step. Choose another specialty or start with a family doctor.
Other paediatric surgeons in Latvia
These doctors have not confirmed their profile yet, so they cannot be booked for now.
- Zane Ābola
- Jana Bičkovska
- Ainārs Ģīlis
- Mohits Kakars
- Jānis Karlsons
- Natālija Kovriga
Known paediatric surgeons in Latvia
- Ainārs Ģīlis
- Anete Rozentālberga
- Juris Šveklis
- Natālija Kovriga
- Svetlana Aleksandroviča
- Timurs Zurmutaī
- Vilnis Titāns
This list is partial. In our current list, one doctor also has a practice location in Ventspils. Any individual doctor's certificate can be checked in the state register (opens in a new window).
When to call 113 instead of booking
- Severe abdominal pain, especially with vomiting and fever.
- A hernia that has become hard and painful and no longer pushes back in.
- Sudden severe pain in the scrotum in a boy.
- Injury with a deep wound, heavy bleeding or a suspected fracture.
- A child unable to walk, or refusing to move an arm or leg after injury.
- A swallowed foreign body, especially a battery or magnet.
- A burn covering a large area of skin or the face.
- Vomiting blood, or blood in the stool.
A swallowed button battery is particularly dangerous, and in that case call 113 immediately.
What a paediatric surgeon treats
A paediatric surgeon advises on and treats a range of surgical conditions and injuries in children.
- Hernias: umbilical, inguinal and linea alba
- Hydrocele and funiculocele
- Cryptorchidism, meaning an undescended testicle
- Phimosis, meaning a tight foreskin in boys
- Varicocele
- Skin and subcutaneous lesions: haemangiomas, sebaceous cysts, lipomas, dermoid cysts, pyogenic granulomas
- Ingrown toenails
- Acute abdominal pain, soft tissue infections and injuries
Veselības centrs 4 states that periodic consultations with a paediatric surgeon are advisable for monitoring a child's development, and that inguinal hernia, acute abdominal pain and injuries require immediate attention.
When to seek care immediately
Several providers single out these situations:
- Inguinal hernia.
- Acute abdominal pain.
- Injuries.
- One-sided or two-sided scrotal swelling, and pain in the scrotum.
- Sudden attacks of nausea and vomiting.
In other cases, such as umbilical hernia, phimosis or skin lesions, the consultation is usually planned rather than urgent.
Glossary
- Inguinal hernia
- a bulge in the groin or scrotal area.
- Umbilical hernia
- a bulge at the navel.
- Linea alba hernia
- a lump on the midline of the abdominal wall above the navel.
- Hydrocele
- an enlarged testicle caused by fluid collecting in its coverings.
- Funiculocele
- a cystic lesion that can sit at various points in the groin.
- Cryptorchidism
- a testicle that has not descended into the scrotum.
- Phimosis
- a tight foreskin that cannot be retracted.
- Laparoscopy
- minimally invasive surgery through small abdominal incisions.
How someone becomes a paediatric surgeon in Latvia
- Six years of medical study and a doctor's degree, at Rīga Stradiņš University (opens in a new window) or the University of Latvia.
- Residency in paediatric surgery. RSU states that the programme prepares the doctor for certification in paediatric surgery and that theory is based on seminars, three a month or 33 a year, plus problem lectures. Programme page: RSU residency programme (opens in a new window).
- The programme covers the aetiology and pathogenesis of paediatric surgical disease, diagnosis, treatment and prevention, and the prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of congenital surgical conditions.
- Specialists at the Paediatric Surgery Clinic train at leading paediatric surgery clinics in Europe and the United States.
- The certificate is valid for 5 years. Recertification requires 250 continuing education points plus a 48.38 EUR fee.
- Entry in the practitioners register must be renewed every 5 years.
How to verify this doctor's certificate
- 1Open Health Inspectorate - register of medical practitioners (registri.vi.gov.lv) (opens in a new window).
- 2Enter the surname or practitioner identifier in the search box.
- 3Confirm the listed specialty reads "Bērnu ķirurgs", not just "Ķirurgs".
- 4Check the certificate validity date.
- 5If surgery is planned, ask whether it will be under state funding or private, and at which provider.
Where children are operated on
Rīga
- Paediatric Surgery Clinic, Children's Clinical University Hospital (opens in a new window)
The hospital states that the clinic treats an average of 6,000 patients and performs around 5,500 operations a year, using laparoscopy, thoracoscopy, arthroscopy and microsurgery.
- Veselības centru apvienība (opens in a new window)
- Veselības centrs 4 (opens in a new window)
- Klīnika LUC (opens in a new window)
which states that its certified paediatric surgeon both advises on and operates on children under the state funding programme as well as privately.
- Capital Clinic Riga (opens in a new window)
Rēzekne
- Rēzekne Hospital (opens in a new window)
performing hernia, cryptorchidism, skin lesion and phimosis surgery, with outpatient post-operative follow-up.
How to choose
- State funding. Some private clinics also operate on children under the state programme, so it is worth asking.
- Minimally invasive methods. Laparoscopy and thoracoscopy shorten recovery and hospital stay.
- Regional access. Planned children's surgery is also performed in Rēzekne and other regional hospitals.
- Follow-up. Ask whether check-ups can be done closer to home.
- Experience with the specific operation. Ask how often the surgeon performs the exact procedure your child needs.
What a visit looks like
- Daugavpils Children's Health Centre states that you should bring all discharge summaries, from both hospital stays and outpatient investigations, so the doctor knows as much as possible about the child.
- The consultation involves examining the child, reviewing test results and talking with the parents.
- If surgery is planned, the procedure, the anaesthesia and the recovery period are discussed.
- Children cope better when what will happen is explained beforehand in simple language.
- After surgery the staff give instructions for further care, and recovery time depends on the type of operation and the child's condition.
Cost
Children under 18 are exempt from patient co-payments, so a state-funded paediatric surgery consultation and operation cost the family nothing. Private prices are set by the provider.
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Patient co-payment for a child under 18 | 0.00 EUR (National Health Service of Latvia (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| State-funded consultation and surgery for a child | 0.00 EUR (NVD, exemption for children under 18, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Surgery under the state funding programme at a private clinic | 0.00 EUR (Klīnika LUC (opens in a new window), price list checked 8 August 2026) |
| Private paediatric surgery consultation and operation | per clinic price list EUR (private clinics, price list checked 8 August 2026) |
Professional association and oversight
The specialty body is the association "Latvijas Bērnu ķirurgu asociācija" (Latvian Association of Paediatric Surgeons), registration number 40008174723, president Zane Ābola, with Ilona Bērziņa also listed as a contact.
Certificates are issued by the Certification Council of the Latvian Medical Association (opens in a new window). The sector regulator is the Health Inspectorate.
Patient rights and complaints
If you have doubts about the care a child received, raise them first with the provider's management. If that does not resolve it, the child's legal representative may submit a written complaint to the Health Inspectorate no later than two years after the alleged infringement. It is reviewed within 30 days, extendable to four months in complex cases. The procedure is set out on the Health Inspectorate site (opens in a new window).
FAQ
When should a child see a paediatric surgeon immediately?
For inguinal hernia, acute abdominal pain, injuries, and pain or swelling in the scrotum.
What does surgery cost for a child?
In the public system there is no co-payment for children under 18. Private prices are set by the clinic.
Can a private clinic operate under state funding?
Some clinics state that they operate on children under the state funding programme. It is worth confirming before booking.
What should I bring to the appointment?
All discharge summaries from hospital stays and outpatient investigations, so the doctor knows as much as possible about the child.
Does an umbilical hernia need immediate surgery?
Umbilical hernia is usually a planned matter, unlike inguinal hernia, which needs urgent assessment.
This page was reviewed by Sergejs Ponomarjovs, from the E-Medicīna team. More about us.
Sources, last-reviewed footer and fact-check
Last reviewed: 8 August 2026
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