01/07/2025
PATIENT STORY. HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY.
Latvia Becomes a Trusted Destination for Medical Tourists: “The Quality of Care Was Remarkable”. Riga, June 2025
Latvia has become a competitive destination for medical tourism in Europe, offering modern equipment, internationally experienced doctors and a personalised approach to every patient.
One of the leading medical institutions in this field is ORTO Clinic – the most modern and the only private centre for traumatology, orthopaedics, spinal surgery and rheumatology in the Baltics. The clinic brings together Latvia’s leading specialists – highly qualified doctors with extensive experience and international recognition.
One of the many foreign patients who placed his trust in ORTO Clinic is Jonathan
Nixon Hughes from London, who after successful treatment in Latvia shared his
thoughts and experience. Jonathan chose Latvia as an alternative to the long waiting lists and high costs in the UK. At ORTO Clinic he underwent a hip replacement surgery, after which he was already walking with crutches in just nine days and experienced only minimal pain.
“My expectations were exceeded – in terms of the thoroughness of the care, and the responsiveness of the team to my needs,” says Jonathan.
“From the start, I was impressed by the professionalism, efficiency and warmth of the ORTO team who greeted me and who carried out those tests - and also by the doctor & anaesthesiologist who both gave me a thorough picture of what to expect in the coming days.”
His treating physician, ORTO Clinic’s trauma and orthopaedic surgeon Dr Vitolds
Jurkevičs, emphasises:
“It’s important for us not only to perform the surgery professionally but also to create a sense of safety and trust for the patient. We regularly treat patients from abroad – and our team is ready to welcome them both with medical expertise and with a human touch.”
Jonathan began his journey to ORTO Clinic through the UK based medical tourism company Thera Travel.
“When I got in touch with Thera Travel, there were three options. Latvia, Poland and
Turkey. Initially, I think it was purely a gut instinct that I chose ORTO Clinic and
Latvia. Maybe too it was the one country of the three I had not been to. When I
looked into it more, I was impressed and reassured by what I read - and by what I
learnt from speaking to a past patient. Not least - the thoroughness of what was being offered” he recalls. Although he travelled alone, he felt safe and well cared for.
“A private surgery in the UK could cost up to £20,000, but here I received
comprehensive care – in a professional and kind environment,” he emphasises.
ORTO Clinic ensures a complete treatment process – starting from remote
consultations to post-operative care in Latvia and continued follow-up remotely.
“Consultations can be arranged even before the patient arrives in Latvia, and after
surgery, we continue our cooperation by maintaining contact with doctors and
physiotherapists. We offer our patients all-round care,” explains Dr Jurkevičs. Throughout their stay in Latvia patients are supported by a local International patient coordinator Ilva (Nordmed Tour), who assists with practical and organisational matters.
“My first contact was with Ilva - who had been hugely supportive when I was in the
UK, and continued to be when I arrived - almost like having a family member here,”
Jonathan recalls.
The example of ORTO Clinic proves that Latvia can offer internationally competitive
medical services. Many foreign patients choose to spend additional time in Latvia
after treatment to enjoy its tranquil nature and cultural atmosphere.
In closing, Jonathan adds:
“I don’t plan on needing to return to the Clinic - although I do intend to recommend it to those who need a similar treatment to me. Having said that, my instinct IS to return here - for various reasons. Partly - to explore this beautiful city more fully, when I am walking crutch-free and hopefully running again. But mostly - to say a heartfelt ’thank you’ to a number of people when I can SHOW them just how well I am doing… because of the care and treatment I was given here.”
Latvia is becoming a place where recovery happens not only for the body, but
also for the soul – professionally, affordably and with humanity.
