AS Tallinna Haigla submitted a merger notification to the Competition Authority today, advancing one of Estonia’s largest healthcare system reforms. The aim of the merger is to bring Tallinn’s healthcare institutions under unified strategic management and improve patients’ access to specialist medical care.

Arkadi Popov, director of West Tallinn Central Hospital (LTK), will take the helm of the city's newly merged Tallinn Hospital on November 1.

The hospital board said Popov impressed members with a clear vision for merging Tallinn's healthcare institutions. Tallinn Hospital board chair and city chancellor Kairi Vaher highlighted his deep understanding of the risks and opportunities involved.

"Arkadi Popov has a thorough vision for how to implement the merger of Tallinn's hospitals," she said.

The board also valued his ability to engage and inspire hospital teams throughout the hospital system, a quality Vaher said will be essential to building a shared culture and making the merger work.