From Legislative Shortcomings towards Better Human Rights Protection — Analysis of Legislation on the Emergency Medical Services in Finland and Estonia

Abstract

Emergency medical service (EMS) is designed, above all, to provide urgent treatment for patients with sudden life-threatening diseases or injuries. In wider context, however, EMS is a part of state’s constitutional obligation to guarantee adequate medical care. Therefore, this analysis of how EMS legislation has been drafted and implemented in practice can also be seen to reflect the state’s attitude towards the protection of human rights. A comparison between legal provisions on EMS in Finland and Estonia has been performed in order to illustrate these differentiations. Essentially, the article argues that Estonian EMS legislation seems to contribute more significantly to human rights protection, whereas Finland is more economically oriented in its attitude. However, both jurisdictions also contain some advantageous provisions, which could enhance the quality and improve the recognition of human rights in other states as well.