LATVIA — In order to discuss the provision of medical aid to Ukraine, the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian military personnel in Latvia and other current issues in the provision of support, on Monday, February 20, Health Minister Līga Menľelsone met with the Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament Olena Kondratyuk, who was on a visit to Latvia on Monday.
“On behalf of the Ministry of Health, I assure you that we will continue to support Ukraine as long as it is necessary,” the minister emphasized.
Minister L. Menľelsone informed that another shipment of medical equipment is being prepared for Ukraine (infusion pumps, lung ventilators, patient monitors: 185 units for a total amount of almost 378 thousand EUR), which will be delivered using the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. Latvia has previously sent medicine and medical equipment to Ukraine for the needs of rural hospitals worth almost EUR 1.5 million, donated Emergency Medical Service cars, stretchers, antibiotics, intravenous administration systems, etc. medical supplies.
NRC “Vaivari” has been granted funding by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to transfer experience to Ukrainian medical personnel in implementing rehabilitation programs for patients after limb amputations and in creating a circulation system for technical capital assets. Four Ukrainian medical institutions in Dnipro, Lviv, Vinnytsia and Chernihiv have responded to cooperation. Until October 31, 2023, consultations and experience exchange of multiprofessional teams are planned, both remotely and experience exchange trips, development of informative materials, training in Ukrainian medical institutions, as well as the purchase of materials and tools necessary for Ukrainian medical institutions for the manufacture of prostheses and orthoses.
Olena Kondratyukas, Deputy Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, thanked Latvia for its support and help in this difficult time for the country. She informed that currently the victims of the war would need rehabilitation and prosthetic services, as well as psychological help and support. The vice-speaker called for extending support in these areas as far as possible. O. Kondratjuka also brought up the issues of psychological rehabilitation for children, treatment of children with oncological diseases who are transferred to hospitals in various European countries due to the war.
It has already been reported that so far in Latvia, more than 140 Ukrainians have been treated for injuries sustained during the war at Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS), as well as at “Vaivaros” and Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital. The Ministry of Health has a cooperation agreement on the medical transportation of Ukrainian residents to Latvia, and RAKUS is ready to expand the care if there is a need. Also, 162 medics from Ukraine, who left the country due to hostilities, work in Latvia. Those residents of Ukraine who come to or stay in Latvia can receive all health care services paid for by the state in the same amount as residents of Latvia. So far, more than 3,870 residents of Ukraine have applied to medical institutions.
