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“International accreditation as a priority for patient care,” emphasizes the newly appointed Director of the Latvian Cancer Centre, Associate Professor Alinta Hegmane
To support the development of the Latvian Cancer Centre and ensure its compliance with international standards, Associate Professor Alinta Hegmane, a medical oncologist at Riga East University Hospital (East Hospital), was appointed as the Centre’s Director in March 2025. Her primary responsibility is to oversee the accreditation process to ensure the Centre meets the requirements established by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI). Achieving this accreditation will provide oncology patients in Latvia with access to diagnostics, treatment, and care that meet the highest European quality standards.
The European Commission’s Beating Cancer Plan envisions the creation of an EU-wide network by 2026, connecting nationally recognized comprehensive cancer centres in each Member State. This initiative aims to ensure high-quality diagnostics, treatment, and care, including access to innovative therapies for all patients. By 2030, at least 90% of European oncology patients are expected to have access to these centres.
The project “Establishment and Accreditation of the Latvian Cancer Centre” is being implemented within the European Recovery and Resilience Facility’s initiative “Development of Common Principles in Oncology.” The project aims to establish the Latvian Cancer Centre and achieve international accreditation in line with OECI quality standards by 2026.
The newly appointed Director of the Latvian Cancer Centre, Associate Professor Alinta Hegmane, emphasizes: “I am truly honored to lead the Latvian Cancer Centre at such a crucial stage of its development. Accreditation in line with OECI requirements is more than just a formality—it is an opportunity for patients to receive diagnostics, treatment, and care that adhere to the highest European standards. Our goal is to create an environment where patients not only have access to modern therapies but also benefit from interdisciplinary collaboration, reliable information, and compassionate support.”
Professor Haralds Plaudis, a Board Member of East Hospital, highlights the significance of the initiative: “The National Cancer Centre is a key pillar in the hospital’s development and will shape the future of oncology treatment and care in Latvia. Associate Professor Alinta Hegmane brings valuable experience, expertise, and strategic insight—all of which will help drive the Centre toward international accreditation and, most importantly, improve patient outcomes by ensuring higher-quality and standardized oncology treatment.”
Achieving the status of an accredited Cancer Centre will be a crucial step in building a nationwide oncology care network and providing methodological guidance across the country, ensuring common, evidence-based, and patient-focused treatment principles.
The OECI accreditation process represents a long-term commitment to quality improvement. Over several years, international experts conduct an in-depth evaluation of the Cancer Centre, which includes an initial self-assessment, on-site inspections, and detailed recommendations to enhance treatment, care, research, and management. By implementing these recommendations, the Centre progressively works toward internationally recognized standards, significantly improving the quality and consistency of oncology patient care. The Latvian Cancer Centre’s accreditation process has been ongoing since 2022, when East Hospital established a multidisciplinary accreditation team. Following multiple expert visits, the Centre is now actively implementing the recommended improvements.
The newly appointed Director of the Latvian Cancer Centre, Associate Professor Alinta Hegmane, is a certified medical oncologist with over 20 years of clinical and academic experience. She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Latvia, where she defended a dissertation on the role of the HER2 receptor in breast cancer treatment. She is a physician at the Clinic for Medical Treatment of Solid Tumors at East Hospital and an associate professor at the University of Latvia’s Faculty of Medicine.
Alinta Hegmane has played a key role in the development of Latvia’s oncology system. She is the Chairperson of the Board of the Latvian Oncologists’ Association and has represented Latvia in multiple European professional organizations, including the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) and the European Commission’s Breast Cancer Initiative. She is an active researcher, a co-author of several internationally cited publications, and a regular participant in major international oncology congresses. Additionally, she is actively engaged in international expert groups that develop guidelines and common principles for genetic testing and cancer treatment strategies.
