Irja Lutsar

Üldinfo

I am a politician with right wing views and a keen social nerve. I am not afraid to speak my mind or defend my opinions if called to do so. My heart lies in health care, especially evidence-based medicine. I intend to fight for the equal accessibility to high-quality health care across the whole Estonia. I have shared my expertise on infectious diseases in most Estonian newspapers and magazines. I will continue to do so if necessary.

Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group
Anti-Corruption Select Committee, Social Affairs Committee
Electoral district: Jõgevamaa and Tartumaa

CV
Irja Lutsar

Irja Lutsar

Jõgeva County and Tartu County Electoral District

20 July 1954, Räpina
Two children, four grandchildren

Education: Räpina Co-Educational Gymnasium (former Räpina Secondary School) 1972; University of Tartu, medicine 1978, Doctor of Medicine 1995

Career: Tartu Clinical Hospital, emergency room nurse 1975–1978; Tallinn Children’s Hospital No. 1, doctor-intern 1978–1979; Võru Regional Central Hospital, Head of Paediatrics 1979–1982; Tartu Clinical Children’s Hospital, Deputy Chief Doctor on Medical Treatment 1982–1992; University of Tartu: Children’s Clinic, Head of Infectious Diseases Department 1992–1995, Assistant, Head of Infection Block 1998–1999, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Microbiology, Head, Professor of Medical Microbiology and Virology 2004–2016, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Department of Microbiology, Head, Professor of Medical Microbiology 2016–; University of Texas (USA) Southwestern Medical Center, Postdoctoral Fellow in Paediatric Infectious Diseases 1995–1998; Pfizer Ltd. (UK), Clinical Project Manager in research and development 1999–2003, Head of Paediatric Programme 2003–2004

Party affiliation: Estonia 200 2023–

Membership in representative bodies: 15th Riigikogu (Deputy Chairman of the Estonia 200 Parliamentary Group 2025– )

Awards: Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 2nd Class 2013, Order of the Estonian Red Cross, 1st Class 2021;
Estonian National Research Award (Annual Award in Medical Science) 1994, 2010, 2023; European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) Fellowship Award 1995; University of Tartu Grand Medal 2014, Medal 2019; Estonian Academy of Sciences Karl Schlossmann Medal in medical science and related fields 2020; Friend of Science Journalism Award of Estonian Association of Science Journalists 2021; Citizen of the Year 2021; European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID) Bill Marshall Award 2025

Other activities: European Medicines Agency (EMA), Paediatric Committee 2007–; European Society for Paediatric Infectious Diseases (ESPID), Member of Board 2010–2013;
Estonian Paediatric Association, Member of Board 1990–1995; Estonian Society for Infectious Diseases, Member of Board 1998–1999; Estonian Child Neurology Association; Estonian Society of Pharmacology; Estonian Science Foundation, Head of Expert Committee on Health Research 2006–2012; Senate of the University of Tartu 2011–2019; Estonian Research Council, Evaluation Committee 2012–2017; Head of Scientific Advisory Board advising Government of the Republic on spread of the corona virus 2020–2021;
author of medical overview (Part 1) of the coronavirus pandemic analysis 2023; over 180 scientific
articles in international peer-reviewed publications

5.05.2026

Draft legislation led

All draft legislation led

Draft legislation initiated

All draft legislation initiated

Comments

  • Sotsiaalkomisjoni algatatud olulise tähtsusega riikliku küsimuse "Eesti vähitõrje hetkeseis ja arenguperspektiivid" arutelu

  • Ja mina tänan teid!
  • Read more

All comments

Journalistic activity

All journalistic activity

Votings

All votes
The attendance check information only shows who were present or absent at the moment of attendance check and not during the whole day of the sitting.
11.03.2024 / 15:00
PresentPresent
 Attendance check
16.06.2025 / 18:03
AgainstAgainst
 Rejection Jäätmeseaduse muutmise ja sellega seonduvalt teiste seaduste muutmise seadus
16.06.2025 / 15:39
In favourIn favour
 Approval of agenda
16.06.2025 / 15:00
PresentPresent
 Attendance check
15.05.2023 / 15:01
PresentPresent
 Attendance check
21.01.2026 / 14:41
In favourIn favour
 Final vote Kohaliku omavalitsuse korralduse seaduse ja sellega seonduvate seaduste muutmise seadus
16.05.2023 / 12:27
In favourIn favour
 Final vote Riigikogu otsus „Riigikogu liikmetest Eesti Rahvusraamatukogu nõukogu liikmete nimetamine"

Associations

Nordic Countries Support Group, Youth Participation Support Group, Phone Scams Prevention Support Group, Vaccination Support Group, Research and Innovation Support Group, Estonian Language Support Group, Family Caregivers and Caregivers Support Group, Disabled Persons Support Group, Expo Support Group, Support Group for Combating False Information, Cancer and Rare Disease Treatment Support Group, Song Celebrations Support Group “Riigikogu Choir”, Youth Mental Health Support group, Setomaa Support Group, Tallinn Hospital Support Group, Higher Education Support Group, Health Care Organisation and Financing Support Group, Basketball Support Group, National Culture Support Culture, Mental Health Support Group

Parliamentary groups

Estonia-Belgium Parliamentary Friendship Group, Estonia-Georgia Parliamentary Friendship Group, Estonia-Brazil Parliamentary Friendship Group, Estonia-Latvia Parliamentary Friendship Group

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