Strengthening occupational health services in the Baltic countries : report on a WHO consultation, Copenhagen, Denmark 6-7 November 1995

Abstract

Experience in developing and maintaining high quality occupational health services in the Nordic countries could be useful for the Baltic countries (‎Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania)‎ who are keen on improving working conditions during the process of transition to a market economy. The WHO Regional Office for Europe, having prepared a framework project for strengthening the occupational health services in the Baltic countries, invited experts and managers from the Nordic and Baltic countries and international organizations to review the present situation and planned programmes in the three countries and to discuss mechanisms and forms of future collaboration. The participants defined international and national activities needed to achieve the best use of available resources, and stressed the need for mutual information on programmes being implemented in the Baltic countries by various organizations. The competence and training of the various specialists forming the multidisciplinary occupational health team, provision of information on occupational hazards to social partners, and redrafting of legislation were considered important areas for future collaboration. It was agreed to convene a further meeting in 1996 to review the restructuring of the occupational health services in the Baltic countries, ongoing collaborative programmes, and further development of the Telematic Information Network on Occupational Health and Safety