Latvian Medical Association (LMA) has received applications from 60 Ukrainian doctors, as confirmed by LMA public relations official Evija Ansonska.
The majority of applications were received from dentists – 15 people from Ukraine have expressed an interest in working in Latvia, followed by gynaecologists, and obstetricians, ophthalmologists, paediatricians, and anaesthesiologists. LMA provides support in the form of preparation and submission of necessary documents. US-based NGO Latvian Medical Foundation (LMF) is committed to financially supporting all healthcare professionals that continue practising in Latvia.
LMA President Ilze Aizsilniece stresses that LMA cooperates closely with Latvian Ministry of Health and Ukrainian embassy in Latvia in topics related to Ukrainian refugees. Assistance to colleagues in Ukraine is coordinated in cooperation with Ukrainian Ministry of Health and international medical organisations. Aizsilniece believes for Latvian medical community it is a great honour to assist their colleagues and all people who have suffered from the war in Ukraine. This is why LMA has taken on additional personnel to coordination assistance and is grateful to Latvian medical diaspora who have announced their commitment to provide financial assistance.
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Medical professionals of other fields have also voiced an interest in working in Latvia. These include cardiologists, endocrinologists and ambulance workers, urologists, surgeons, pathologists, neurologists, dermatologists, pulmonologists and others. Most have already submitted part or all necessary documents to enter practice in Latvia.
The most complicated part of working with Ukrainian doctors is confirming their education level and requesting relevant documents from Ukraine. On 24 March an agreement was reached – Ukrainian organisations will provide responses to queries within seven days. LMA stresses that the medical profession is subject to regulations – it is important to follow the directive of the European Union in this field. Additionally, Latvia is a rare EU member state in which Ukrainian doctors are able to receive short-term permits without first covering all the necessary formalities, which normally take up to several months.
Latvian Medical Foundation invites Ukrainian doctors that have arrived in Latvia as refugees and wish to work here to apply for single-time benefit from LMF. Ukrainian doctors and other medical workers have the opportunity to apply by filling an application questionnaire, which they can get from LMA, their potential place of work or LMF website atvianmedicalfoundation.org in the section Helping Ukraine.
Multiple Latvian hospitals have voiced readiness to hire medical workers from Ukraine.
60 Ukrainian doctors want to work in Latvia
