The regulation of telemedicine: a Latvian–EU perspective

The article aims to study the nature of the legal framework of telemedicine. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, epidemiological safety in Latvia was determined by minimising human contact in all possible sectors, including healthcare. This was followed by service restrictions in accordance with the COVID-19 Infection Management Act. Although these restrictions were in effect, it was impossible, throughout their duration of operation, not to provide health services, as even a temporary discontinuation of these could pose a threat to patient health security; accordingly, it was necessary to take steps to avoid any interruption in the provision of medical treatment, thereby ensuring that the continuity in the treatment process would not be affected, which is important because such continuity is clearly defined by the right to health protection, as well as to a minimum of medical assistance, guaranteed by the State to everyone.