During her working visit to the Republic of Latvia, the Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Olena Kondratiuk met with Ukrainian servicemen and veterans who are currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Vaivari National Rehabilitation Centre.
The admission of Ukrainian soldiers for treatment and rehabilitation is one of the key issues that the Vice Speaker of the Parliament of Ukraine raised at the level of parliamentary diplomacy during her first official visit to Latvia in 2022.
"We are extremely grateful to our Latvian friends for organising this programme, which allows us to receive high-quality and modern assistance. Since the beginning of russia's full-scale invasion, 237 Ukrainian servicemen have undergone treatment and rehabilitation in Latvia. We expect that this programme will be continued in 2024," said Olena Kondratiuk.
Currently, 17 wounded Ukrainian servicemen are undergoing treatment and rehabilitation at the Vaivari Research and Development Centre. Among them, three are in wheelchairs, while the rest move independently or with crutches.
The Vice Speaker also drew special attention to one of the most common problems faced by our defenders — poor quality prosthetics. Latvian companies specialising in the manufacture of prosthetics are also involved in solving this problem. For example, the company Design to live from Cēsis, which undertook to help one of the Ukrainian soldiers to manufacture and fit a better and more comfortable prosthetic arm than he has now. The first female soldier to participate in this programme is also undergoing rehabilitation at the centre. She was injured while performing her duties as a military medic.
During the meeting, the Vice Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament wished the Ukrainian soldiers a speedy recovery and expressed her sincere gratitude to the staff of the Vaivari Research and Development Centre and to all those who provide assistance in the treatment, rehabilitation and prosthetics of our defenders in Latvia.
"They make real miracles, helping wounded Ukrainian soldiers to regain faith in themselves and their strength and gradually return to normal life," said Olena Kondratiuk.