On 26 April 2023, the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gunda Reire, met with representatives from the medical institutions of Latvia and Ukraine at the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) “Vaivari”. 17 medical professionals from several Ukrainian medical institutions are staying in Latvia to explore experience with the rehabilitation of patients after limb amputations. This is the second visit carried out with support from funds granted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for development cooperation projects.
In her speech, the Parliamentary Secretary thanked the NRC “Vaivari” and welcomed cooperation between the medical institutions of Latvia and Ukraine. Gunda Reire noted that the project made a significant contribution to alleviating the suffering caused by Russia’s brutal invasion, as well as strengthening cooperation between Latvian and Ukrainian medical professionals.
The Parliamentary Secretary underlined, “This cooperation is an important step towards establishing a broad and multidisciplinary approach in Ukraine to the implementation of rehabilitation programmes for patients after combat injuries. The importance and quality of the programme is evidenced by the growing number of Ukrainian partners as well as co-financing mobilised from the US this year.” Gunda Reire confirmed that Latvia would continue to support Ukraine in all possible ways, and assistance to soldiers injured in battle was of major importance.
Background information
The visit by Ukrainian medics is part of a development cooperation grant project, supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, “Sharing experience with Ukrainian hospitals in implementing rehabilitation programmes for patients after limb amputations”. The project is being implemented by the NRC “Vaivari” in 2022 and 2023 in partnership with six Ukrainian medical facilities. The project aims at cooperation and exchange of experience to help Ukraine implement rehabilitation programmes for limb amputation patients following injuries because of Russian military aggression and to build a system for the circulation of technical aids.
Since 2014, the NRC “Vaivari” has been providing treatment to the Ukrainian military personnel under as part of a rehabilitation programme coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. From 2014 until the beginning of the war launched by Russia, 59 Ukrainian military injured in the armed conflict have received treatment under the said rehabilitation scheme. With support from the Foreign Ministry and Rīga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS), 62 soldiers are being treated at the NRC “Vaivari” in 2022.