US freeze on aid programs affects training of Ukrainian specialists at Vaivari rehabilitation center

  • 2025-01-28
  • LETA/TBT Staff

RIGA - Following the US decision to freeze funding for various foreign aid programs, the National Rehabilitation Centre Vaivari has had to temporarily limit training of Ukrainian specialists, Kristine Kenina Jurevica, the center's representative, told LETA.

So far, 187 Ukrainian health care professionals have improved their education in the US-funded project. The aim of the project is to improve rehabilitation opportunities in war-affected regions and strengthen the capacity of Ukrainian specialists.

The centre stresses that the project funding is important to cover the travel and living expenses of the participants in the exchange program, as well as to provide salaries for the participating specialists.

Stella Lapina, Chairperson of the Board of the Vaivari center, explained that this cooperation not only allowed to strengthen the competence and capacity of Ukrainian health professionals, but also to provide assistance to people who have suffered from the consequences of the war. As a result of the order suspending US foreign aid programs for 90 days, Vaivari is temporarily limiting the training of Ukrainian specialists. She stressed, however, that she looked forward to the possibility of continuing this cooperation after this suspension.

Lapina does not hide the fact that the suspension of the US foreign assistance program may affect both the sustainability of existing programs and long-term objectives.

Despite the possible interruption of funding, Vaivari is committed to finding a way to continue the project.

At the same time, the center noted that cooperation with Ukrainian counterparts in other exchange projects will continue.

Vaivari is the leading rehabilitation facility in Latvia. It is a state-owned company with 100 percent of its shares held by the Health Ministry. Since 2014, the center has been providing assistance to people wounded in the war in Ukraine and strengthening the knowledge of medical colleagues by organizing both in-person and remote trainings.