Service-Based Management
Service-based management helps link policy-making and its implementation through services into a coherent whole. This means looking at the objectives that have been set and the services provided, in order to assess whether existing services support the achievement of those objectives, where the problems lie and what needs to change.
This mostly involves close cooperation between the Ministry of Social Affairs and its Agencies. Where achieving an objective also depends on services provided by other ministries or agencies, cooperation is carried out with them as well.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each policy area has a head of policy within the Ministry, and each service has a service manager within the relevant Agency. The head of policy and the service managers of the Agencies together form the policy management core team.
The head of policy maintains an overall view of the objectives, results and development needs within their area. They organise cooperation between the people and institutions whose activities affect the area's results.
The service manager is responsible for the operation and development of a specific service and ensures that the service supports the achievement of the agreed objectives.
Heads of policy and service managers work in close cooperation with one another. This ensures that information about how services actually function feeds into policy-making, and that policy objectives in turn feed into service development.
Key Principles
- Objectives are clear and measurable. Decisions are made based on data, knowledge and existing capabilities.
- Objectives and activities form a coherent whole. The plans of the Ministry and its Agencies are interconnected and mutually supportive.
- Areas are managed collaboratively. Each policy area has a core team consisting of the people needed to manage the area, drawn from different organisations.
- Responsibility is clear. Core team members know their tasks, decision-making authority and responsibilities.
- We start from people's needs. When developing policy and services, consideration is given to how solutions affect the people who need or use those services.
Health
Primary Healthcare Policy
Primary healthcare policy covers the organisation of family medicine and other close-to-home services – health promotion, initial diagnosis and treatment, chronic disease management, and support for recovery. The aim is to ensure quality care close to home, often the first point of contact in a person's care journey.
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Tiina Unukainen
Department of Health Services
Expert of Primary Healthcare Policy
- [email protected]
Environmental Health Policy
Environmental health policy covers the mitigation of health risks arising from the environment and access to related information. The aim is to ensure a health-supportive living environment that helps prevent health problems caused by environmental factors.
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Aive Telling
Department of Public Health
Head of Environmental Health Policy
- [email protected]
Communicable Diseases Prevention Policy
Communicable diseases prevention policy covers preventing the spread of infectious diseases, organising treatment, and ensuring preparedness for pandemics. The aim is to keep Estonia safe from infectious diseases, as part of the health system's overall continuity of operations.
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Kerli Reintamm-Guţan
Department of Public Health
Head of Communicable Diseases Prevention Policy
- [email protected]
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Policy
Pharmaceuticals and medical devices policy covers the organisation of pharmaceuticals and medical devices availability, safety and rational use. The aim is to ensure people have continuous access to high-quality and affordable medicines and devices that support health and quality of life throughout the care journey.
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Department of Health System Development
Head of Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Policy
- [email protected]
Specialised Medical Care Policy
Specialised medical care policy covers the organisation of specialist and other complex healthcare for serious or complex health conditions, including organising the hospitals network. The aim is to ensure timely access to the right specialist, examination or treatment – the next level of care after primary healthcare.
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Mariken Ross
Department of Health Services
Head of Specialised Medical Care Policy
- [email protected]
Health Behaviour Policy
Health behaviour policy covers shaping a health-supportive environment and health promotion across the life course. The aim is to influence health determinants in ways that promote health and reduce health risks, while ensuring that everyone has the knowledge and opportunities to make healthy choices, regardless of gender, income, education or place of residence.
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Katri Eespere
Department of Public Health
Head of Health Behavior Policy
- [email protected]
Healthcare Quality Policy
Health services quality policy covers the national quality management system and requirements that motivate service providers to improve treatment outcomes and patient safety. The aim is for healthcare services to be safe, evidence-based, person-centred, effective, timely, integrated, equitable and impartial throughout a person's care journey.
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Maria Suurna
Department of Health System Development
Head of Health Services Quality Policy
- [email protected]
Mental Health Policy
Mental health policy covers promoting mental well-being, preventing mental health disorders, providing early intervention, and strengthening support and treatment services. The aim is to ensure that mental health is valued, promoted, and treated on an equal footing with physical health in all other policies.
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Minni Timberg
Department of Mental Health
Head of Mental Health Policy
- [email protected]
Social Affairs
Child Welfare Policy
Child welfare policy covers needs-based prevention and support services integrated to social, health, education and law-enforcement case management. The aim is for every child and family to receive timely help, contributing to their overall wellbeing.
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Brit Tammiste
Department of Children and Families
Head of Child Welfare Policy
- [email protected]
Child Protection Policy
Child protection policy shapes a system that helps safeguard children's rights, identify children's need for help and respond to it appropriately, and support families. The aim of Child Protection Policy is to ensure that every child can grow up in a safe environment that supports their wellbeing.
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Birgit Siigur
Department of Children and Families
Head of Child Protection Policy
- [email protected]
Economic Well-being Policy
Economic well-being policy encompasses guiding other policies and sectors to take into account their impact on the economic well-being of individuals and families, as well as organising benefits and support for those who face difficulties in meeting their everyday needs. The aim is to promote independent coping and alleviate material hardship, thereby supporting the overall well-being of individuals and families.
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Kati Nõlvak
Department of Pension Policy and Cross-Border Social Security
Head of Economic Well-being Policy
- [email protected]
Victim Support Policy
Victim support policy covers assistance, services and benefits for people affected by crime, violence or a crisis. The aim is to ensure timely and adequate support for recovering from trauma, as part of safeguarding people's safety and wellbeing more broadly.
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Kristiina Luht
Department of Children and Families
Head of Victim Support Policy
- [email protected]
Pension Policy
Pension policy covers the organisation of pensions, benefits, allowances and counselling that give people financial security in old age or when income decreases – part of securing people's wellbeing across the whole life course. In the long run, the aim is to keep the pension system sustainable.
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Department of Pension Policy and Cross-Border Social Security
Head of Pension Policy
- [email protected]
Family Policy
Family policy covers solutions that support the wellbeing of families and children, encourage births, and help families cope at different stages of family life. It forms a basis for the wellbeing and cohesion of the whole family and society.
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Maarja Kärson
Department of Children and Families
Head of Family Policy
- [email protected]
Disability Rights Policy
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Kadri Mets
Department of Social Welfare
Head of Disability Rights Policy
- [email protected]
Innovation
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Liisi Lillipuu
Department of Analysis and Statistics
Head of Data Policy
- [email protected]
Digital Solutions Policy
Digital solutions policy sets the direction for digital development in the health and social care sectors and creates the conditions for the development and adoption of secure, interoperable and user-centred digital solutions. We support improving the quality, accessibility and efficiency of health and social care services through innovative digital solutions.
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Patrick Pihelgas
Innovation Affairs
Head of Digital Health and Care Policy
- [email protected]
Secretary General’s Area of Responsibility
International Cooperation Policy
International cooperation policy covers coordinating the ministry's and administrative area's participation in EU decision-making processes and other international cooperation. The aim is to ensure that Estonia's interests in the health and social field are visible, represented and protected.
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Agne Nettan-Sepp
Department of European Union Affairs and International Cooperation
Head of Department, Head of International Cooperation Policy
- [email protected]
Continuity and Crisis Management Policy
Continuity and crisis management policy covers the planning and coordination of crisis preparedness and national defence activities across the Ministry of Social Affairs and its agencies, including the development of national defence action plans. The focus is on ensuring that institutions are prepared to carry out their crisis-related tasks and that essential public services remain operational during crises and national defence situations.
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Häli Tarum
Secretary General's area of responsibility
Head of Continuity and Crisis Management Policy
- [email protected]
Last updated: 10.09.2026
Social Welfare Services Policy
Social Welfare Services Policy
Social welfare services policy covers services, allowances and long-term care for people in need of support, including building local government capacity. The aim is to create conditions that enable people to live independently and with dignity in their own homes and communities, and to contribute to society and the workforce for as long as possible, thanks to assistive technology and welfare services.
Sirlis Sõmer-Kull
Department of Social Welfare
Head of Social Welfare Services Policy