It defines the responsibilities of the Ministry of Social Affairs, local government and county and community physicians, and came into force on 1 January 1994. Structure and administration of public health Health and social services and health insurance are the responsibility of the Ministry of Social Affairs. The health care and social services division consists of four departments. Under the 1994 Health Care Organization Law, primary and secondary care is organized at municipal level, individually or jointly by the community or city councils and community physicians. Tertiary care is organized at the national level by the Ministry of Social Affairs, and county physicians refer patients to it from secondary care.
Patients enter the system through primary care and move to other levels by referral.
Organization of the Ministry of Social Affairs Fig. 35b. The Health Care Organization Law introduced a national health council and county health councils. The national council protects the interests of the population, gives opinions and expert advice on health problems, helps to prepare draft legislation and regulations and makes evaluations. The statutes and structure of the national health council are determined by the Government. Estonia inherited a social welfare system based on institutional care.