The Establishment of the Norwegian Healthcare System 04-07-1603,Copenhagen, (Norway) 2 pages of a bound volume, manuscript on paper;   31 x 17 cm (page), 33 x 22 cm (volume) National Archives of Norway RA/F/Fcaa/L0003, page 196 The public healthcare system in Norway can be traced back to the 17th century, when King Christian IV appointed the first public doctor, Villads Nielsen Adamsen [Vilhadius Adamius] (ca.1564 - ca.1616) in Bergen, in July 1603.The King assigned Adamsen as ordinario medic in Bergen, with the letter displayed here.This meant Adamsen would be paid from the public purse, as he was now allowed to dispose some of the churchs income.  Adamsen was the son of a Danish parish priest; he had studied in Padova, Rostock and Siena, focusing particularly on questions related to epidemics and public health. In 1599 he arrived in Bergen, where he established himself and started medical practice. In that year a plague broke out in the city. Adamsen with the assi...