Inside Riga 1st Hospital: A New Season of “Doctors” Documentary Series

The second season of the documentary series “Doctors,” created by Armands Tripāns, offers an intimate seem into the lives of medical professionals at Riga 1st Hospital. The series, which premiered on TV3 on Sundays at 6:55 PM, explores the personal and professional challenges faced by doctors, reflecting on societal issues and the complexities of the Latvian healthcare system.

A Glimpse into the Lives of Medical Professionals

Each episode of “Doctors” follows a different physician, providing viewers with a 26-minute window into their daily routines, both within the operating rooms and in their personal lives. The series aims to portray doctors not just as healers, but as individuals grappling with their own values, beliefs, and dependencies.

Featured Doctors in Season Three

Season three features a diverse group of specialists, including:

• Neurosurgeon Henrijs Ozoliņš
• Proctologist Yevgenija Kipenska
• Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Doctor Zaiga Kalnbērza-Ribule
• Gynecologist Ija Lisovaja
• Surgeon Irīna Liepiņa
• Rheumatologist Ivars Veckalns
• Ophthalmologist Dāvis Raščevskis

An earlier episode featuring otolaryngologist Alisa Adovič is currently available on GO3.

Director’s Vision

Director Armands Tripāns emphasizes the series’ focus on fundamental human values. “The documentary series ‘Doctors’ is about thoughts and the depth of life. About values that are dear to everyone – life, God and love. What it takes to be who you are,” he states. The series explores the idea that everyone has their own form of addiction, and for surgeon Vjačeslavs Popkovs, that addiction is surgery.

Riga 1st Hospital: A Hub for Ukrainian Doctors

Riga 1st Hospital currently employs ten Ukrainian doctors, including specialists in endocrinology, anesthesiology, neurology, allergology, gastroenterology, otorhinolaryngology, and other fields. News reports indicate that the hospital hired two Ukrainian doctors, two orderlies, and two cleaning specialists last year.

Services Offered at Riga 1st Hospital

Riga 1st Hospital provides a wide range of medical services, including:

• Pneumology
• Surgery
• Capillaroscopy
• Biofeedback Therapy
• Aesthetic Gynecology
• Treatment for Excessive Sweating
• Mental and Physical Wellbeing Programs
• Podology
• Physiotherapy
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Thyroid Puncture Biopsy
• Holter Monitoring
• Pain Management
• Veloergometry
• Eyelid Correction
• Hip and Knee Replacement
• Sports Medicine Consultation
• Apheresis Center (Plasma and Citaferesis)

The hospital as well offers dental check-ups for students and mandatory health checks with extended working hours, up to 8:00 PM.