RIGA, Feb 2 (LETA) - Daugavpils Regional Hospital last week laid off 50 employees who are either Russian or Belarusian nationals, LETA was told at the hospital.

The hospital's representatives commented that the layoffs are directly linked to the requirements of the National Security Law, which regulates the protection of critical infrastructure. This provision stipulates that Russian and Belarusian nationals may not be employed at critical infrastructure facilities of categories A, B, and C or critical infrastructure of particular European importance if the work involves access to information or technological equipment essential for the functioning of the critical infrastructure. Such employment can only be permitted as an exception and with the specific authorization of a national security service.

Daugavpils Regional Hospital is a critical infrastructure facility, which means the health care institution is obliged to ensure compliance with the requirements of the national security regulations.

Based on the aforementioned restrictions, 49 employees have lost their jobs at the hospital. They include 29 middle and junior medical staff, 11 of whom have reached retirement age, as well as 20 auxiliary staff, three of whom are of retirement age.

In addition, a request has been sent to the State Security Service for a reassessment of seven medical staff members.

Daugavpils Regional Hospital acts in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations and in close cooperation with the relevant state authorities. At the same time, necessary organizational measures are being taken to ensure uninterrupted provision of medical assistance to patients and stable operation of the institution," hospital spokesperson Julija Kasecka told LETA.

The hospital will advertise the open positions to fill the vacancies.

According to Firmas.lv, Daugavpils Regional Hospital has around 1,700 employees. In 2024, the hospital had a turnover of EUR 54,230,077 and a profit of EUR 197,332.

The hospital's stakeholders include the state, the local government of Daugavpils, Augsdaugava Municipality, and Riga Stradins University.